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Keesler commuters go green, save with vRide

  • Published
  • By Susan Griggs
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  For the past 13 years, Scott Ferrara has faced a 164-mile round trip each work day from his home in Mandeville, La., to Keesler. The cost of commuting continues to rise, but now Ferrara and five other Keesler employees are saving money by using an alternative form of transportation - a van pool.

"I was looking for ways to save money and noticed VRide vans on the interstate," said Ferrara, a supply technician in the 403rd Wing.

Through a partnership between vRide and Coast Transit Authority's "Coast Commuter" program, van pools can be organized for groups of five to 15 people commuting together on a regular basis. A vehicle is provided for the group. Each vehicle has volunteer drivers -- one primary and at least two alternates. Riders share the cost of operating the van and determine the daily schedule and route.

"I leave my home at 5 a.m. and pick up two people at a grocery store parking lot in Mandeville at 5:15," Ferrara outlined. "From there we drive I-12 to Slidell, La., and pick up another at a home improvement store parking lot. Then we take I-10 to Bay St. Louis, Miss., and pick up one at a convenience store, then to Long Beach, Miss., to pick up the last one. We arrive at Keesler at 6:30 and make drops at the 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron, 403rd Force Support Squadron and 403rd Maintenance Squadron.

Costs vary depending on the mileage, state tax and fuel costs, along with the number of people sharing the ride.

"The cost for each of us is $345 per month, but the U.S. Department of Transportation offers a subsidy of up to $245 for eligible Department of Defense employees -- active duty, reserve and civilian," Ferrara explained. "Once approved, that subsidy goes to CTA and the difference is what we pay, which amounts to $100 per month per person."

There are a number of advantages for van pool members, according to Ferrara.

"It passes time away being able to talk to others," he observed. "Some take advantage of the time to do business, bills or phone calls. Some can even catch a nap."

The only disadvantage he's seen is that it takes a little longer to get home in the evening, but added, "It is well worth the savings. I like knowing that I've helped take some cars off the road and helped others with a way to save money."

DOD's Transportation Incentive Program, established by executive order in 2000, expands commuting alternatives for military members and civilian employees by allowing travel vouchers or cash reimbursement for commuting expenses for those who come to work in vehicles of six or more passengers.

The program is intended to reduce driving stress, travel expenses, vehicle maintenance, energy consumption, dependence on foreign oil, traffic congestion and air pollution.

Earlier this year, Congress changed the effective date of Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits (Section 132(f)) and extended its end date through Dec. 31, 2013. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 now provides the option for most employers to provide transit and van pool tax-free benefits to their employees.

CTA figures show that the average commuter spends more than $200 each month just to get to and from work. A seven-passenger vanpool is estimated to eliminate 144,360 of commuter miles, with 5,724 gallons of fuel saved at a cost of $17,184.

For more information on van pools, log on to www.coastcommuter.com, email ctainfo@coasttransit.com or call 228-896-8080.
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