A number of programs exist (within the United States) to help lower the cost of that shared ride to the end user.
These public transportation programs seek to reduce the number of cars on the road (with all the attendant environmental benefits).
Additional benefits include: In many cases, an employer may elect to subsidize the cost of the vanpool and the vehicles' maintenance.
Reference May 14 article in the Travel section of the New York Times[4] The oldest multi-employer vanpool program in the country is in Treasure Valley, Idaho.
The Vanpools also service the Military at Gowen Field and Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB) with multiple routes to and from Ada and Canyon County.