After announcing sharp increases in rates, Vanpool Hawaii officials are hopeful that federal subsidies will become available again in about six months.
The program is losing $3.7 million in federal funds beginning July 1, but higher rates for participants do not take effect until Aug. 1.
Officials with VSPI Inc., which owns Vanpool Hawaii, will meet with state transportation officials July 6 to discuss plans to once again secure federal subsidies.
The monthly flat Vanpool rate will jump to $985 for a vanload, more than double the current $455. This means individuals paying the lowest fee of $65 a month could face increases of $141 or $164 a month, depending on the size of the passenger load.
Vanpoolers are mixed in their reactions on whether to stick with the program.
Charlotte Lenseigne, 62, of Aiea, who works at Tripler Army Medical Center, said she is sticking with the program. "Where can you go for that price, drive all month and have all your maintenance, safety sticker, registration, insurance and not have to pay for it? We looked at the big picture of it. Everybody says we’re going to stick with it."
The program has 300 vanpool groups and 1,600 participants.
Vanpool Hawaii Executive Director Vicki Harris said the company has been receiving lots of calls, mostly undecided participants.
"That subsidy was very important to those vanpoolers," Harris said. "We’re going forward with the idea that the state is willing to look for (federal) funds that are there."
She said Vanpool Hawaii is trying to reduce its costs. One way is by keeping its vans longer.
Harris said the cost of owning a vehicle and commuting alone, which includes maintenance, insurance, wear and tear, depreciation and fuel — between $900 and $1,000 — still far outweighs the monthly Vanpool rate.
Lenseigne, a federal worker, takes advantage of a federal Transportation Incentive Program that provides a commuter transit tax benefit of up to $230 per person each month.
She encouraged people who work for private companies to ask their employers to pay for all or a portion of the fee, which can be a tax break.
