Vanpool Hawaii Celebrates Expansion

HONOLULU -- Vanpool Hawaii celebrates its 15th year by expanding its fleet of vehicles on Monday.

Officials hand the keys of a new minivan to the newest drivers of the program's 300th vanpool.

Since 1984, Vanpool Hawaii has increased by 2,000 percent from its original fleet of 15 vehicles statewide, organizers said.

The program aims to reduce traffic congestion and costs for its customers by carpooling to and from the work.

"This vanpool has helped me a lot -- saved on my wear and tear of my car, saved on my gas with the federal program. It helped us too with the cash vouchers to maintain a seat in the vehicle saved on us registration, insurance with the vehicle," new vanpool driver Sonja Kahawaii said.

Drivers are able to keep the car on weekends and use it at their leisure.

The vans seat seven to 15 passengers with costs starting at $65-a-seat per month and the cost of gas and parking.

The project has removed 1,700 single occupant vehicles from traffic, Vanpool Hawaii officials said.

"Many commuters do not realize they are paying nearly $1,000 a month on gas, insurance, maintenance fees, depreciation, interest and wear and tear on their personal vehicle," Vanpool Hawaii Executive Director Vicki Harris said in a statement.

Vanpool Hawaii is offering a $100 fuel card for new commuters signing up for groups as part of a holiday special.

Resources:

VanPoolHawaii.com or call 596-VANS (8267) or 1-800-VAN-RIDE for more information