Peachtree City

residents may not be able to commute into Atlanta by train or plane, but

the commuter van could become an option in the near future.

A Marietta

company, MetroVanPool, wants to start a program matching up Peachtree

City commuters who live and work near each other to share a ride in a

12- or 15-passenger van. Company representative Herb Wood recently explained

the program to the Peachtree City Planning Commission.

The premise

involves one person who drives the van and keeps it at his or her home,

Wood said. The driver agrees to meet the other commuters at a set location,

such as a parking lot for a large store, he added.

"Nearly

all of them park at Home Depot parking lots or at shopping centers,"

Wood noted.

Typically the

driver/custodian of the van rides free, while monthly fares for the other

commuters range from $69-100 depending on the total mileage the group

uses each month, Wood said. Maintenance of the van is handled through

a coupon book issued to each driver which is redeemable for services at

certain auto facilities.

Commuters using

MetroVanPool would save money in the long run because they won't be paying

for gas and extra maintenance on their personal vehicles, Wood said. Also,

employers can offer a $65 per month per rider benefit through a federal

tax credit program to offset the monthly fares, he added.

Any commuter

who has to leave work for an emergency would be eligible to have that

trip reimbursed through the Guaranteed Ride Home program, Wood said.

The van driver

benefits by having the van for personal use on the weekends, subject to

certain restrictions, Wood said. The passengers benefit too, he said.

"You can

avoid the driving worries: sleep or read the paper," Wood said. "And

you arrive for work relaxed and on time!"

The use of

MetroVanPool can help reduce congestion on the roads and since the vans

are HOV-lane compatible, the daily trip to work can be cut short, Wood

said. The system can also help Atlanta reduce emissions from automobiles

so the region can meet federal air quality standards, he added.

MetroVanPool

also helps companies and businesses, who can use it to reduce parking

troubles and enhance their corporate standing in the community, Wood said.

Currently,

there are 105 van pools in 18 counties around metro Atlanta, Wood said.

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