View this email as webpage March 1st, 2023 CIRTA Presents: Vanpool 101 Many know that CIRTA offers both carpooling and vanpooling resources – but what makes the two different from each other? How are they the same?   Read on to learn more about vanpooling, and how CIRTA can help you rethink your daily commute!   Q: What is vanpooling? A: Unlike carpooling where passengers provide the vehicle, CIRTA’s Commuter Connect partners with Commute with Enterprise to provide vans to groups of individuals who work nearby each other and live close by in Central Indiana. Registered riders appoint one or two drivers, and riders meet at designated locations in and around Indianapolis to ride to and from work together.   Q: Why should you consider vanpooling? A: Riders share the cost of the ride, helping them save up to 50% on gas and vehicle maintenance while always having the peace of mind knowing they will have a ride to work. It’s also a sustainable transportation alternative that helps reduce carbon emissions and allows you to make friends along the way.   Q: What is the cost? A: Since CIRTA’s Commuter Connect provides a vehicle for vanpoolers, cost is based on monthly mileage and dependent upon if you are riding in a 7, 12 or 15 passenger van. You can view the full list of monthly prices by van option when you visit our vanpool page. Find the best fit for you!   Q: How can you become a rider? A: That’s easy! Visit our website at commuterconnect.us/register-now/ to register yourself in a few simple steps. After that, you will receive an email helping you find vanpool options that match your schedule. Then, you can connect with other riders to plan to drive together.   If you have any questions call 317.327.RIDE (7433) or email us at info@cirta.us. You can also contact a staff member directly from our about page. Visit CIRTA at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Happy St. Patrick’s Day, commuters!   CIRTA will be in the parade this year happening in downtown Indianapolis on Friday, March 17. The parade will begin 11:30 am on North Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania.   Check out the tent party happening before and after the parade put on by the Indy Public Safety Foundation. Tent events are FREE for all ages. Enjoy food, drinks, and live music! Invite friends, family, and fellow commuters to partake in the festivities.   Find more information about parking, parade lineup and route for the 41st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade here. We hope to see you there!  March Celebrates Employee Appreciation Day This Friday marks Employee Appreciation Day, and CIRTA’s Commuter Connect is the perfect way to help employers across Central Indiana celebrate their staff every day.   Employers like IUPUI,  Eli Lilly, State of IN, Cummins, and Jaspen already take advantage of the free/low-cost transportation benefits that creatively help eliminate transportation barriers for their staff, including subsidized vanpools, preferential parking, and pre-tax flex accounts for commuting related expenses.   For areas where there is an identified need, CIRTA’s Workforce Connectors also help employees have reliable daily transit to and from work. For one rider, Mario, the Whitestown Connector provides more than just reliable transit:   “While I am planning to buy a car, I plan to continue riding [the connector], even after the purchase. They are reliable, cost effective, and the drivers are so polite and professional. I would encourage any large business to promote CIRTA’s services to their employees as alternative transportation.”   Learn more about why your company should care about commuting and how to get started today here. CIRTA 317-327-RIDE (7433) https://www.cirta.us/   Register for free commuter benefits!