Enterprise Rideshare and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Launch Public-Private Partnership

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is partnering with Enterprise Rideshare ? part of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car neighborhood network ? to launch a new statewide public-transit program, the Pennsylvania Vanpool Incentive Program (PVIP).

Enterprise Rideshare includes vRide, which was acquired in 2016, and based on annual passenger miles, would rank as the fourth largest U.S. public transit agency today. In fact, Enterprise moderated a panel discussion about "The Changing World of Transit Benefits" at the 2017 Association for Commuter Transportation's (ACT) Public Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. The session explored commuter benefit programs and common-sense efforts to further expand transit options at the grassroots level.

Enterprise Rideshare delivers a level of fleet flexibility and local service unmatched in the vanpool industry. "Vanpooling programs like PVIP have proven to be affordable and convenient, while also reducing both traffic congestion and carbon emissions immediately," said Mike Mangan, Vice President of Enterprise Rideshare. "Vanpooling also can be a great alternative for commuters who lack access to traditional services like light rail, heavy rail or motor bus."

The PVIP is designed to expand the availability of regional public transportation by subsidizing a portion of the cost of new Enterprise Rideshare-managed vanpools for local commuters who agree to share their ride to and from work in a vehicle large enough to accommodate seven to 15 people. 

Like many state transportation departments ? including those in Florida, Michigan, Nebraska and Vermont ? PennDOT is expanding mobility options by launching an innovative statewide vanpooling program. The PVIP, available to all Pennsylvania commuters, is expected to create 100 new vanpools statewide and decrease commuting costs for riders by more than 50 percent.

Through Enterprise Rideshare, PVIP participants will be able to choose a qualifying vanpool vehicle from an industry-leading selection of makes and models, including crossovers, SUVs, minivans and large passenger vans. Enterprise Rideshare will provide 24-hour roadside assistance, liability insurance and scheduled maintenance. Vanpoolers also can choose to upgrade their vehicles with optional high-end features, such as satellite radio, in-vehicle Wi-Fi service, and power ports for individual seats.

"All Transportation is Local"

Genuine ridesharing programs represent one of the most strategic, cost-effective and sustainable transportation options available today for consumers and businesses alike. Every business day, Enterprise Rideshare takes more than 100,000 individual cars off U.S. roads, eliminating more than 2.4 billion commuter miles driven each year and eradicating the need for more than 100,000 parking spaces. Almost 2 billion pounds of carbon emissions are reduced by Enterprise Rideshare and vRide customers annually.

For an average commute of 100 miles per day, ridesharing can save individuals up to $10,000 per year by reducing the cost of tolls, gas, vehicle maintenance and depreciation. And vanpooling further reduces annual transportation expenses by using volunteer drivers ? which is much more cost-efficient than hiring paid drivers (for example, through ride-hailing companies).

Additionally, according to U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, commuter vanpools are one of the safest modes of public transportation when compared to motor bus, light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail and demand response services. Other benefits of Enterprise Rideshare vanpooling include:

• Quality Vehicles: Enterprise Rideshare vanpools feature new models of crossovers, SUVs, minivans and large passenger vans. Many vanpools also are equipped with high-end features such as in-vehicle Wi-Fi, GPS, satellite radio and HD traffic capabilities.
• Convenient Commuting Routes: Vanpool participants determine driving responsibilities and routing among themselves ? unlike ride-hailing apps that require you to request, wait and pay for each use. Enterprise also offers a free ride-matching program to help find co-workers with similar hours and routes.
• A Guaranteed Ride Home: Thanks to the extensive Enterprise neighborhood network, vanpoolers have access to Enterprise's Guaranteed Ride Home program, which ensures they can leave work at unscheduled times worry-free.

Last year, the TransitCenter ? a foundation committed to improving urban mobility ? published "All Transportation is Local ? A Field Guide for City Leaders," encouraging local officials to take steps to improve transportation systems. In addition, Governing.com magazine reported that the number of commuters who travel 90 minutes or more to get to work increased sharply between 2010 and 2015.

"Investing in public-private partnerships and genuine ridesharing programs like PVIP not only creates long-term value for employers and their employees, but also for surrounding communities and their transportation infrastructure," said Mangan.

To learn more about Enterprise Rideshare, or to sign up for a vanpool, visit www.enterpriserideshare.com.

SOURCE Enterprise Holdings