ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Ann Arbor area VanRide vanpool trips rose from under 140,000 in fiscal year 2021 to more than 202,000 in fiscal year 2025, a 44 percent jump as more than 400 people a month now share the commute.
Riders use the program to cut spending on fuel, maintenance and parking while keeping designated spots at the University of Michigan medical campus. Washtenaw County’s average annual commute cost is cited at about $6,736, a figure workers are trying to offset.
TheRide partners with Commute with Enterprise to lease vans and SUVs, insurance and maintenance to groups traveling to Washtenaw County job sites, including people who live outside the county. Commutes of 15 miles or longer are a common fit.
Groups need at least four other commuters to form a vanpool, and part-time riders are allowed if they give 30 days’ notice before leaving. Members split fuel and the monthly lease, which covers the vehicle, insurance and maintenance.
University of Michigan remains Ann Arbor’s major employer and a primary destination for many VanRide groups. For Ann Arbor, Mich., workers facing hybrid schedules and tight campus parking, the shared vans have become a practical alternative to driving alone.
