Van Pool to Offer $100 Incentives

The first 10 commuters to join the newest UCSB van pool serving Santa Maria and Buellton will each receive $100 from Traffic Solutions as part of its Vanpool Rider Rebate program, according to James Wagner of Parking and Transportation Services.

July 1 is the scheduled start date for the Santa Maria van service, which will cost $115 a month. Ten passengers fit into one van.

Wagner, who manages the Transportation Alternatives Program for parking services, said the incentive is for those commuters new to UCSB's van pools (not a member for at least six months) and who stay for three months before requesting the rebate. It applies only to the new Santa Maria/Buellton van pool.

Rates for all van pools are slated to increase as of July 1, mainly because of the higher price of gasoline. "Take the cost of parking off the top and any of the van pool rates will seem all the more attractive," said Wagner.

Currently, UCSB vans serve Lompoc, the Santa Ynez Valley, Carpinteria, Ventura, and Camarillo as well as Santa Maria. Visit www.park.ucsb.edu/tap.html for the schedule--an update is planned before July 1--or call x2917 to sign up.

Traffic Solutions is a project of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments.