How to Participate in a Vanpool

Faculty, staff, and students from UCSD, Scripps, Salk Institute, and VA Hospital can participate in the vanpool program.

UCSD nonaffiliates participate at a higher rate and do not receive all incentives. They must have medical insurance and cannot become van drivers. Call the vanpool coordinator, (858) 534-0883, for details.

• Free trial period: Ride 1 week free on established vanpools (space available), or 2 weeks free when forming a new vanpool.
• Save time: Vanpools use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.
• Save money: Decrease gas and vehicle maintenance costs. Eliminate parking costs.
• Park free when necessary: UCSD members can get an Occasional Use permit for 10 free days of parking per quarter.
• Emergency rides home: Register in advance for Guaranteed Ride Home, a SANDAG program that provides rides in case of illness, unscheduled overtime, or family emergencies. Registered users, dial 511 when you need a ride.
• Drive shared vehicles with Zipcar (when you meet UCSD eligibility requirements).

Incentives are subject to limitations. Read below for guidelines or contact Commute Solutions with questions.

• Vanpool groups determine their own commuting schedule.
• Each has a primary and backup driver. They usually ride free or at a reduced price, depending on their arrangement.
• Riders board their vanpool at a predesignated time and location.
• Vanpools drop off riders at locations near their offices.

• Monthly fees vary with the distance each vanpool must travel between the neighborhood of origin and campus or the Hillcrest Medical Center.
• The vanpool route spreadsheet (Excel) lists rates for UCSD affiliates for each neighborhood vanpool.
• Affiliate rates are subsidized by Transportation Services. Eligible non-UCSD affiliates should expect to pay a higher fare.
• Paying monthly fees:
  • Eligible faculty and staff pay monthly fees through payroll deduction.
  • Students pay each quarter in advance with cash or check (payable to UC Regents).
  • Non-UCSD affiliates pay monthly with cash or check (payable to UC Regents).

• Arrange with the vanpool coordinator to ride free for 5 days.
• To join, complete a Vanpool Program Authorization of Payroll Deduction form (PDF) or request a form by:
  • Phone: (858) 534-0883
  • E-mail: Vanpools
  • Pickup: Stop by the Commute Solutions desk inside the campus parking office (hours, map).
• Include a check or money order payable to UC Regents with your form, covering vanpool fees prior to activation of payroll deductions. The vanpool coordinator calculates the initial payment based on your start date. Write your driver’s license or employee number on your check.
• Submit your completed form and payment:
  • By mail: Vanpool coordinator, Mail Code 0011, or
  • In person: Commute Solutions desk, campus parking office (hours, map)
• Pick up your complimentary Occasional Use parking permit at the campus or Hillcrest parking office. (Undergraduate and Extension students must do so within the first 6 weeks of the quarter only.) You will need:
  • Valid UCSD ID
  • Proof of current vehicle registration for up to 3 vehicles. (Vehicles must be registered to you or a family member at a single address.)
  Subsequent permits will be given to your vanpool driver for distribution.
• If there’s no suitable vanpool for you, find other UCSD affiliates and form a new vanpool. Use UCSD’s ride-matching service and contact the vanpool coordinator for the next step.

Occasional Use permits issued by Commute Solutions:

• Are used in the same way as those purchased from the parking office. Review How to Display Your Parking Permit.
• Are nontransferable. Only the member who is issued the permit can use it. The permit cannot be shared, sold, or given away.
• Are only valid in designated spaces, and not valid in reserved carpool spaces. For accepted spaces, read Where and When to Park.
• Allow parking for the vehicle(s) officially documented on the permit only. To add a vehicle, bring your registration to Commute Solutions.
• Expire at the end of each quarter, with no carryover of unused parking

Note: Violation of these policies may result in:

• Parking citations
• 6-month suspension from the Vanpool Club
• Ineligibility to participate in any Commute Solutions programs for up to 6 months