Starting Jan. 1, 2022, King County employees may start a King County Metro Vanpool or Vanshare with only three or more participants and the cost will be covered 100% by the Employee Transportation Program (ETP). This reduced ridership minimum from five participants to three or more participants is being offered after the recent survey of employee safety programs highlighted employee interest in more shared ride options for commuting into downtown Seattle. As a result of the survey and support from ETP, the Executive’s Office approved continuing the 100% subsidy for employees commuting in a Metro Commuter Van through the end of 2022.

The Metro Commuter Van program is ideal for groups of consistent commuters who have a common route to work and are willing to share the driving and bookkeeping roles in the van. The program includes everything for your shared ride to work – the van, fuel, maintenance, insurance, roadside assistance, and the Home Free Guarantee program. There are nearly 30 existing Metro Commuter Vans from various King County departments traveling to worksites throughout the county, some able to accommodate up to 15 passengers. In addition, for commuters traveling to Seattle’s downtown core, parking costs for vans may also be covered.

Metro Vanpool is your direct commute to work where the van is parked overnight at the assigned driver’s home. The driver picks up passengers at pickup locations and then travels to the worksite. The vanpool can travel in HOV lanes and pass for FREE through WSDOT toll facilities, and is a great way to reduce stress and save money. 

For commuters riding the train, ferry or bus, Metro Vanshare can provide the first connection to the terminal or station, or link the last couple miles from the terminal or station to your worksite.

To find an existing Metro Vanpool or Vanshare, or find others to start a new group, create your commute profile at www.RideshareOnline.com. If you would like to start a new group with at least two other participants who share a similar commute, start here and submit information about your group to start the process.

Please know that any transportation benefit amount in excess of the IRS limit for the year, $270.00 for 2021 is taxable income and will show in your W-2.

For more information about this commute option or your ETP program, please visit www.Kingcounty.gov/ETP  or ask Hossein, the ETP Manager.