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Scott AFB employees find free ride to work with RideFinders

  • Published
  • By Joseph Wright
  • RideFinders
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  

For the thousands of Scott AFB employees who drive alone to and from work each day, especially those traveling longer distances, this can be an expensive and stressful experience.

However, for nearly 30 Scott AFB employees with daily round-trip workday commutes up to 100 miles or more, they are enjoying a free, relaxing ride to work by participating in RideFinders vanpools.

A vanpool is a group of commuters that rideshare to and from work using RideFinders vans. At least two commuters drive the van while all commuters pay a monthly fare covering fuel, insurance, maintenance and all other operating costs. Scott AFB employees, though, get a monthly subsidy up to $255 that pays all or most of the monthly vanpool fare - resulting in a free or low-cost commute.

“Before I started vanpooling, I was filling up my car twice a week and obtaining oil changes and other maintenance at least every other month for my 80-mile daily round-trip commute,” according to Rhonda Love, who has participated in a RideFinders vanpool since 2001. “Now, with the $255 monthly subsidy you get if you are a Federal employee, I am able to get to and from work for free.”

Scott AFB vanpoolers also benefit by not having to drive or taking turns driving, which allows them to sit back and relax when they do not drive. In addition, Scott AFB vanpoolers receive RideFinders free Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH), which provides them with free taxi rides home if they have to work late or leave work—guaranteeing peace of mind knowing they will always get home.

“My auto insurance also went down because I don’t have to drive as much, and I even save money by not going out to lunch since my car is not at work,” stated Love. “Not only does vanpooling save you tons of money, since you do not have to drive every day or at all, you can sneak in a little nap on the way to work and home!”

RideFinders free ridematching service enables Scott AFB employees to learn if there are any existing RideFinders vanpools available for their commutes. Employees register with the service at www.ridefinders.org or (800) 847-7433 with their home, work and contact info, and then receive a “matchlist” of any existing Scott AFB vanpools with similar commutes to contact to possibly join.

When employees register with the RideFinders ridematching service, they will also receive a “matchlist” of co-workers with similar commutes to theirs. They then contact these commuters to try to form a new vanpool or a carpool using their personal vehicles. While employees in carpools are not eligible for a subsidy, they still save significant money and receive RideFinders free GRH.

For more info, contact RideFinders at (800) 847-7433 or ridefinders@mct.org, or visit www.ridefinders.org.