Owner-operated vanpools are personally-owned 7 – 15 passenger vans filled with passengers traveling to and from work together. Passengers pay the van owner for their seat on a monthly basis.
The Bay Area Vanpool Program supports owner-operated vanpools by helping drivers find passengers, recruit back-up drivers, subsidize empty seats, complete required forms, get discounted parking, get free bridge tolls, and earn rewards. If you have a van and want to start recruiting passengers, take the first steps below.
Get Started
Step 1 - Pass medical exam as required by the DMV for vanpool drivers.
The State of California requires all drivers to pass a medical examination before they can drive a vanpool. Learn More.
Step 2 – Register your vanpool in Merge.
Get your vanpool registered in Merge, and our vanpool consultants can support you in coordinating your vanpool. Register here.
Rewards
Owner-Operated Vanpool Seat Subsidy
Do you drive or coordinate an owner-operated vanpool that is down a rider or two? Apply for a Seat Subsidy and add your van to the "Seats Available" list to keep your vanpool rolling.
Discounted Parking Permits
The cities of Oakland and San Francisco offer discounted (or reduced-cost) parking permits for qualified vanpools.
Free Bridge Tolls
The Bay Area Vanpool Program provides free bridge tolls to 11 – 15 passenger vanpools by providing non-revenue FasTrak® toll tags.
Need assistance?
Contact a 511 vanpool consultant.
General SF Bay Area
Michelle Mah
Vanpool Consultant
510-273-3648
mahmi@Rideshare.511.org
Solano County
Solano Mobility
1-800-535-6883
