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The bride and groom met where? This story begins over 20 years ago . . . click here to read the rest of the story. [ top ]
VPSI Vanpool Driver’s Safety Luncheon Summary - The vanpool drivers attended a vanpool driver’s safety meeting and luncheon at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission office in downtown Pittsburgh on Wednesday November 8, 2006. VPSI, the CommuteInfo vanpool provider hosted the lunch meeting. The VPSI Safety Manager Andy Bawden was the presenter and he described how vanpoolers can prepare to meet the challenges of winter driving in the Pittsburgh area. Mr. Bawden is certified by the National Safety Council as a Defensive Driving Instructor. Communications is the key to daily planning when adverse weather conditions are present. “Don’t put the group at risk because someone is unable or unwilling to be contacted. A dangerous commute should be delayed or avoided and the group and the employer need to be told. Get on the phone early and communicate with your group” advised Mr. Bawden. Reverification of carpools and vanpools – This process will take place at the end of the calendar year to verify their continued involvement in the CommuteInfo program. If you have riders who are not registered please encourage them to do so in order to qualify for the Emergency Ride Home service. For complete details on the service click here. ‘Tis the Season of giving … once again this holiday season CommuteInfo is pleased and excited to announce another money saving opportunity for your vanpool. Earn a $100 credit towards your February invoice. How can you do this? Start referring your friends, co-workers, family, and neighbors to register with our program. Don’t just call our office and say I am referring (name the person) to you. It does require that the commuter either goes on line and completes a profile at www.commuteinfo.org or they can call me at 412.391.5590 (337) and I can complete one over the phone. The commuter must also say they were referred by your van either by name or the name of someone on the van. Once the profile is recorded in our database then your group’s van will be given credit for that referral. Last year when this incentive was first offered I think there was confusion as to how it worked; but, it was very simple – just refer people to the program. They don’t need to ride your van or another van … we just want them to register (create a personal commuter profile). So, during this promotion, if someone registers with Commuteinfo and indicates your van … you will earn $100... Does that mean if you refer 5 people you will earn $500? No, you will earn a $100 credit towards your February invoice. That’s it … very simple. But, if you do have questions please call me and we can talk about it. When you talk with people about the CommuteInfo service and you explain you want them to register please remind them to make reference to your van so we can indicate a credit is pending. Many of your groups have already earned a $100! [ top ]
Vanpool Groups Looking For Riders [ top ]
Emergency Ride Home benefit – The CommuteInfo Emergency Ride Home (ERH) service is a safety net for commuters in the event of an unexpected personal or family emergency, personal illness, unscheduled overtime, or other eligible event. The CommuteInfo ERH service is available to those commuters registered with the CommuteInfo program who are participants in a registered carpool or vanpool (how can you register?). What happens if I need an Emergency Ride Home? You simply make arrangements to get yourself home (just remember to qualify for reimbursement you: must be registered with CommuteInfo, participating in a registered carpool or vanpool, riding in the carpool or vanpool the day you need the ERH and the reason for your ERH must fall within the program guidelines). You can check the list of suggested resources for help in identifying a provider, but you can also choose a provider not on the list. The resource listing gets updated but is not exhaustive so check the CommuteInfo website www.commuteinfo.org for current options. You then arrange for your ride, pay and get a receipt. Within 30 days of the ride you submit the refund application and receipt to CommuteInfo for processing. Will I be reimbursed for all my costs? The maximum number of trips that will be reimbursed annually is 4 per registered commuter or up to a total of $100 worth of trips (annually). This program operates on a calendar year. Every January all participants must re-register and then start over with the 4 rides and the $100 limit (unused rides and/or reimbursements will not be carried over from year to year). [ top ]
Winter driving – Caution: Prepare for the Upcoming Winter Season click here Agreements – Please be reminded that safety issues include the use of cell phone while driving. Each driver and Alternate volunteer Driver Agreement II.C.1.p (which each driver signed) states that use of any cell phone device (including a hands free cell phone) or personal audio or video equipment by the Driver while operating the vehicle. Driver/Rider one-on-one sessions will be starting up again so please prepare to take 15 to 30 minutes to discussion any vanpool issues your group may have. [ top ]
This is a place where your stories can be shared. If you would like to submit an article or information for future editions, please email them to Meg Kessler at mkessler@spcregion.org. GET-A-WAY VAN “The van is stolen” my wife said to me. [ top ]
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