Community Transit

Vantastic News: Spring 2008

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Drivers Wanted!

Community Transit’s Vanpool program requires that each van has at least two qualified drivers. We strongly suggest that each member in the Vanpool become a qualified driver so if anything unexpected comes up, there is always someone available to drive the van.

If you are interested in becoming a driver, you will need to obtain a copy of your Complete Driving Record from the Department of Licensing. You will need to visit your local DOL to make the request. We ask that the prospective driver have no moving violations or preventable accidents for the past three years, and no major moving violations or a DUI for the past seven years. Once you obtain your Complete Driving Record, fax it to (425) 438-6146. Please write your Vanpool number and daytime phone number on the fax, so you can be scheduled for class once we verify that you qualify.

Classes are filling up quickly so please plan ahead. Keep in mind that Saturday classes fill up the quickest, often 6 weeks ahead. If you plan to become a driver, please enroll at least 6 weeks before your need. For a complete list of upcoming orientation dates, please visit www.communitytransit.org and click on the “Vanpool” link.

Lost Vanpool Keys Replacement Fee

If your vanpool is a Chevrolet Uplander or a Dodge Grand Caravan, the key that operates your van is a transponder microchip key.

A tiny microchip in the key itself is programmed to work with the van’s computer system. Without the microchip, the ignition will not turn over and start the van. The Grand Caravan key contains not only controls for the ignition, but also for the electronic doors.

Both of these keys are more expensive to duplicate than a standard key. If one of these vanpool keys needs to be replaced, Community Transit is implementing a replacement fee for the lost key. The Uplander keys are $17.00 each. The Grand Caravan keys are $130.00 each.

Forms Available Online

Did you know that most of our forms are available online? To access the forms, visit us at www.communitytransit.org and click on the “Vanpool” link. Forms available online include:

Child Rider Agreement
Formation Checklist
General Program Info
Monthly Vanpool Report
Vanpool Agreement
Vanpool FAQ
Vanpool Fare Schedule
Vanpool Operator Agreement
Vanpool Ridership Report
Vanpooling Benefits

Van Walkaround

Always begin your commute by taking a moment to walk around the van and check the condition of the van. It only takes a moment but it will save you time on the road. An inspection prior to departure will let you know if the tires are properly inflated, all windows are intact and unobstructed, no fluids have leaked overnight and your van is not being blocked. Be alert, walk around!

Kudos to the following Vanpools that have 5 or more drivers:

352 U.S. Army
477 Boeing – SeaTac
481 U.S. Navy
485 Symetra
490 Seattle University
494 Boeing – Everett
495 Grange Insurance
498 FAA
516 Seattle CBD
518 Boeing – Everett
519 King County
536 Greenpoint Technology
543 Microsoft
555 Symetra
566 Boeing – Everett
568 Seattle CBD
569 FAA
574 U.S. Navy
578 U.S. Navy
579 U.S. Coast Guard
580 Boeing – Everett
586 Boeing – Everett
591 Boeing – Mukilteo
593 Boeing – Everett
599 Boeing – Everett
614 REI
618 Snohomish County
620 Boeing – Everett
655 Microsoft
669 Aerojet
687 Seattle CBD
715 Aerojet
716 Unigard
729 U.S. Army
739 Boeing – Renton
744 Microsoft
751 U of W
752 Raytheon
754 Boeing – Everett
756 U.S. Navy
757 Boeing – Everett
761 Boeing – Everett

No Out-of-Pocket Fuel Purchases

Every Community Transit Vanpool is issued a van-specific Voyager Fuel Card. This card is to be used whenever fuel is needed for the van. A list of fueling stations where the card is accepted is located in the Accident Pack for each van, and includes:

BP
Chevron
Citgo
Circle K
Conoco
Exxon
Gulf
Mirastar (Marysville)
Mobil
Phillips 66
QFC
Shell
Tesoro Alaska
Texaco
Union 76

When fuel is purchased outside of the Voyager Fuel Card program, full retail price is paid, which will drive up the cost of the program. By planning ahead and not making out-of-pocket fuel purchases, you are doing your part to keep the cost of the program down.

Spring Driving Tips

• Spring showers bring summer flowers . . . and wet driving conditions. Now that winter is over, the threat of icy roads diminishes. Drivers need to change their way of thinking about the roads. In a sudden downpour, driving fast can cause the van to hydroplane—this means that your tires actually “surf” along on a film of water just like a water skier. Slow down and keep your eyes on the road.

• Rain water mixed with oils or grime on the streets can cause slippery conditions and result in unexpected skidding. You should also avoid driving through large puddles. The splashing water could not only affect your brakes, causing the van to swerve, but could also impair the vision of other motorists.

• Watch out for potholes! Here’s how they form: as the temperatures cool to freezing at night, the water becomes ice and expands below the pavement, forcing the pavement to rise. As the weight of traffic continues to pound on this raised section—and the temperatures once again rise above freezing—a shallow divot occurs under the surface and the pavement breaks, forming a pothole. If you hit a pothole hard, you can cause major damage to the vehicle. Keep your eyes on the road to avoid hitting them.

Round-Trip Miles—Actual vs. Daily

The actual round-trip mile section on the monthly report (pictured below) is often a source of confusion for many bookkeepers. What is supposed to be recorded there? The actual round-trip miles are simply double the highest one-way passenger miles that the van travels, as reported on the Vanpool Ridership Report. For example, a vanpool group that has their one-way passenger miles set at 22 would actually travel 44 miles a day on their commute. Since the fare sheet is set in 5-mile increments, it is recommended to round up and pay for the group fare of a 45-mile round trip. Therefore, the actual miles would be shown as 44, and the daily round trip miles (in Section II) would be recorded as 45.

Electronic Vanpool Reporting Forms

Community Transit is currently seeking vanpool groups that would be interested in completing their monthly report using electronic reporting forms. The Excel forms include both the monthly report and the ridership report. If your vanpool group is interested in trying these documents, please contact your Vanpool Fleet Coordinator for more details.

We thank all of the individuals that have applied their Excel expertise in creating these documents. A special round of applause goes out to Bruce Taimana (VP509) who has added some critical calculation formulas to the Excel document.

Vanpool Checking Account

Since 1999, it has been Community Transit’s policy that each vanpool group establish a separate bank account to handle vanpool finances. No personal bank accounts are allowed. The vanpool bank account must have two or more authorized signatures (i.e. primary driver, bookkeeper, etc.) Many banks offer a no-fee checking/savings account, allow multiple signatures, and require no minimum balance. Many also offer a free book of checks or a limited number of cashier checks each year. By establishing a separate vanpool bank account, you will satisfy our program requirements and eliminate questions from the Internal Revenue Service.