How to: Find a Vanpool
It's easy to find your vanpooling options to work in Redmond.
There are a number of ways to find all your vanpool options:
1. Do a Ridematch Search
- Login to GoRedmond.com
- Click on ‘Ridematch’ and ‘Create a Trip’
- Click on ‘It’s My Commute’ and ‘At least once a week, on a schedule’
- Enter your home address, work address, schedule, and preference for carpool and vanpool partners then hit ‘Save’
- To increase the chances of finding a match in the future, you can make this search 'public' or seen just by others who work at the same location.
- Your ridematches are shown! Look at all those potential matches (and how much you’re spending to drive alone…one way!). Send a message, or 10, to those other user who match your commute and see if they’d like to share the ride.
2. Ask for Help!
Call King County Metro to have them help you find your options. You can call them at 206-625-4500 or email them.
You can also request Personalized Commute Plan from Go Redmond where we will help you find all the potential options for your commute, including vanpooling.
3. Check the 'Vanpool Riders Wanted' Listings
Each month King County Metro posts a list of vanpools coming into Redmond that are looking for new riders. These are existing vanpools who have seats to fill.
Check them out here and see if one meets your needs.
4. Start Your Own Vanpool
No vanpool going your way? Not a problem!
All you need is 4 other people who are traveling your way. One of the most effective ways to do this is at your work-hang up posters in the lunchroom, send some emails, or ask your Employee Transportation Coordinator for help finding others who may live near you.
You can run a ridematch on your GoRedmond account and reach out to your potential carpool matches to see if they'd be interested in starting a vanpool with you.
Once you have between 5 and 15 people:
- Decide on a route, pick-up points (like Park and Rides) and schedule.
- Choose a primary driver and at least one back-up.
- Primary drivers, who meet Metro requirements, ride free and may receive 40 free personal miles each month.
- Select a bookkeeper to collect fares.
- Just complete the Metro Commuter Van Program Application & Agreement with Terms & Conditions