Getting Around

Welcome Smart Commuter

Whether your goal is to save money on your commute, spend less time driving, help the environment, or all of these, you've come to the right place!

A vanpool is a group of 5 to 15 people sharing the ride in a 7-, 12-, or 15-passenger van. Our vanpools serve groups traveling to and from work, whose trip origin or destination is within Pierce County. Benefits of vanpooling include:

Low monthly fare that covers fuel, maintenance and insurance
Save money and reduce wear and tear on your personal vehicle
Less stress commuting to and from work
Use of HOV lanes reduces travel time
Emergency Ride Home option
Bike racks available, at no additional cost
Reduces pollution and traffic congestion

The convenience and ease of sharing the ride makes vanpooling a great alternative to driving alone.

Check out our Current Vanpools or form a new vanpool today!

Jason H.

Commutes over 50 miles each way in his van.

How long have you been vanpooling? 3 years

How often do you ride? 5 days a week

What’s your favorite part about vanpooling?
The savings (gas), it helps keep the roads less crowded, allows you to get to know your coworkers and strengthen relationships, which in turn makes work better by giving it a personal touch.

Ronda M.

Type of Ride: Rocks an electric hybrid van

How long have you been vanpooling? 20+ years

How often do you ride? 5 days a week

What’s your favorite part about vanpooling?
It saves wear and tear on her car, is helping the environment and allows her to visit with other coworkers.

What you would say to people who are interested in trying vanpool for the first time?
“Give it a try it’s worth it. You get to build relationships and have extra time to think about work. It’s a way of making a difference.”

Testimonials:

"I'm loving the vanpool. Everyone is so nice. The drivers are great, timely and safe. I'm glad to be in the vanpool, especially during the rainy dark seasons." Cynthia

"My vanpool coordinator is very informative, helpful and sweet person. I am impressed that the vehicles are taken care of regularly so I never worry about mechanical problems. I am very satisfied overall with all aspects of my vanpooling experience and always look to recommend this mode of transportation to others."

Trip Planner Help

Trip Planner Tips - Entering Locations

To create a trip plan you need to enter both a starting location (origin) and an ending location (destination). For information about stops, schedules, or service at a specific location, you only need to enter one location.

The Trip Planner recognizes most street intersections and addresses as well as many landmarks in Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties. If what you entered is not immediately recognized, the Trip Planner will offer you a list of options. You can choose one of the options, but if your intended location is not there, select the "Revise Original Entries" link to return to the entry page and change the entries you have already made.

Addresses

You don't need to type in the city along with the address. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type 110 Jones instead of 110 Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 1000 Main instead of 1000 S Main. But type 1000 West Viewmont for 1000 West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets and addresses are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby location, such as an intersection or a landmark.
You should not enter the suite number or apartment number. Just the house number and street name (Example: type in 401 Broadway instead of 401 Broadway Avenue Suite 800).

Intersections

The "&" symbol is the only character used between two street names to show an intersection. (Examples: 1st & B, James & Madison)
You don't need to type in the city. The Trip Planner shows the possible city names as options if needed. City names are based on zip codes.
You don't need to type in St., Street, Ave., or Avenue, or similar street types. The Trip Planner shows the possible alternatives as options if needed. (Example: type Conifer & Jones instead of Conifer Circle & Jones Boulevard.)
You don't need to type in the directional designations for streets, but if a direction name is part of a street name, you should include it. (Example: type 3rd & Main instead of 3rd S & S Main. But type 34th & West Viewmont for 34th W & West Viewmont Way W.)
Some streets are unknown to the Trip Planner. You may need to enter another nearby intersection or a landmark.

Landmarks

Government Sites: Pierce County Health Dept, Pierce Co Sheriffs Office, Tacoma City Hall

Major Commercial Sites: Tacoma Mall, Sheraton Hotel

Transportation Facilities: Sea-Tac Airport, Greyhound Bus Depot

Schools & Colleges: Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Community College

Sports & Leisure: Cheney Stadium, Pt Defiance Zoo

Medical Facilities: Group Health, Tacoma General Hospital