Best Practices for Drivers

Use The App Consistently, On Every Trip

It’s important to use the app consistently even if you have opted out of offering FlexRides. The benefits of the app to you, your group and the entire program are realized when you and everyone in the group use the app on every trip.

  • Trips completed correctly are reflected properly in the ridership reports. You won’t need to spend time piecing back ridership for the past months if you complete trips in the app.
  • Ride cancellations, schedule updates and recordings if done properly by everyone in the group save time needed for corrections needed for bookkeeping.
  • Consistently using the app helps your transition to a better form of coordination and communication available within the app.
  • Your vanpool program administrators actively review app usage and ridership information to make improvements to the program.

Prompt Cancellations Make Life Easy

  • If the group (van) is not going on a day its regularly scheduled to go, cancel the trip as soon as you find out.
  • Know that a monthly rider is on a vacation or not coming? If you see rides booked corresponding to a rider that isn’t coming, cancel the rides so that the seat can be opened up for flex riders.
  • Remind riders in your vanpool that they can cancel autobooked rides to help open up their seat for flex riders.

Vanpool Stops Increase Opportunities

For groups accepting flex riders: Reach out to your vanpool agency and suggest stop additions for your vanpool route.

  • Suggest two stops in your neighborhood which could work well as pickup locations for flex riders. For example, a walkable intersection that has pullout / parking, a local coffee shop, a library, a nearby park and ride are examples of a stop where riders can arrive and wait for a few minutes.
  • Suggest one stop near your trip destination which could work well as a drop-off.
  • Its best if these stops are along your route so you won’t have any extra driving. It is okay if the stops are not used by monthly riders in your vanpool. You won’t stop every day – you’ll only stop if you have a ride booked on your van and the pickup location is that stop.

FlexRide Cancellations

For groups accepting flex riders: The app notifies you when a rider books a ride on your vanpool. Be sure to review the booking and if you can’t provide the ride, cancel at the earliest. Be sure to message the rider of any circumstances for the cancellation.

If you do not want to offer rides to occasional riders outside your group, be sure to let your vanpool agency know so they can turn off the FlexRides for your group.

You’re The Ambassador Of Your Vanpool

  • First time flex riders on your vanpool may send you a message to confirm things such as the exact pickup location, time of pickup, etc. Be sure to respond and reassure the rider of the ride logistics.
  • Flex riders you meet may make great monthly riders in case your vanpool is open or needs more monthly riders. Be sure to treat the flex rider with the same courtesy you extend to your fellow vanpoolers.
  • Let your fellow vanpoolers know of the app and its advantages. Encourage the group to use the app.
  • Use the material provided to you to spread the word. For example, post the “Flex Rides Available” poster on the notice board at your employer location. Check in with your agency contact for additional ways to help get the word out.

Finally, thanks for being a vanpool driver in the program. You are directly reducing traffic, harmful emissions and helping out commuters in our area and we commend you for that!

HELP & SUPPORT
Group Riders · Group Drivers · Flex Riders · Need help?