The Florida Department of Transportation continues to provide much-needed vanpool services to commuters in Florida, especially those living in rural communities.
FDOT has identified three (3) areas of the State of Florida as “Areas of Critical Concern.” These three areas include twenty-nine (29) of Florida’s thirty-two (32) rural counties:
- Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Liberty Counties (and a small area within Walton County)
- Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Monroe (added in 2019) and Okeechobee Counties (and small areas within Collier and Palm Beach Counties)
- Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor and Union Counties
These three “Areas of Critical Concern” have similar economic conditions:
- Low per capita income
- Low per capita taxable values
- High unemployment
- High underemployment
- Low weekly earned wages compared to the state averages
- Low housing values compared to the state average
- High percentages of the population receiving public assistance
- High poverty levels compared to the state average
- A lack of year-round stable employment opportunities
Jobs might be available in adjoining counties or in these three areas where traditional public transportation is not available or is considered inadequate to meet the needs of the population. COMMUTE with Enterprise services can address some of these needs in a safe and efficient manner. These areas encompass a large geographic area of the State of Florida. Accordingly, Non-Urbanized Area Formula Funding (U.S.C. Section 5311) has been obtained by FDOT to financially support commuter vanpools that are formed and placed into service under this program.
A public/private partnership between FDOT & COMMUTE with Enterprise has been formed to assist these areas of concern.
COMMUTE with Enterprise a private provider of public transportation services, has entered into a joint participation agreement with FDOT to provide turn-key commuter vanpool services within the counties of critical concern. COMMUTE with Enterprise will serve as the Florida Department of Transportation’s partner in this endeavor. COMMUTE with Enterprise is highly experienced in working with public and private stakeholders. Many local and regional agencies contract with them to supply the vanpool service and use federal funds to reduce the price paid by commuters.
Definition of a Commuter Vanpool: A commuter vanpool is understood to operate as follows:
- A group of individuals voluntarily participating in a ridesharing arrangement in a van with a seating capacity of not less than 7 (including the driver) and not greater than 15 (including the driver).
- Driver/Coordinators and Alternate/Backup drivers are themselves commuters who are volunteers receiving no compensation for their efforts. Vanpool fare and fuel are split amongst the ridership.
- Vanpool drivers use the van to pickup, transport and deliver the other vanpool passengers to and from their residences (or a common staging area) and their places of employment.
- The use of the van will not be construed as being engaged in transportation as a business.
- The vehicle may be used for personal use as defined in the driver agreement, but may not be used to carry passengers for hire outside the scope of the regular home-to-work commute.
For additional information about the State of Florida Rural Vanpool Program, contact your local commuter assistance program.