Vanpool community continues to rise at Bldg. 171

  • Published
  • By Sarah Baine
  • AFCEE Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With the rise in gas prices, Port San Antonio's Bldg. 171 is seeing a continuous increase in the number of VIA metropolitan transit vanpools.

Last year when the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment and the Air Force Services Agency moved into Bldg. 171, there were only 14 vanpools serving the building, said Barbara Smith-Townsend, AFCEE's vanpool coordinator.

"We currently have 38 vanpools and are also adding one to two new vanpools each week," she said.

Parking to accommodate the growth in the van pool program is already in place, Ms. Smith-Townsend said, with the number of vanpool reserved spots set to increase to a total of 50.

Vanpooling not only is a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; it also saves money and the wear and tear on people's cars.

At least four people, ideally six, are needed to start a new vanpool with vehicles available in 7, 12 and 15 passenger models.

One member of the group is designated as the coordinator of the van and is responsible for driving and maintaining the van. Another member of the group is designated as the backup driver. All members of the group are encouraged to be approved to drive for times when both drivers are unavailable, Ms. Smith-Townsend said.

Vanpool members set the route, schedule and tardiness policy for their van.

While there are set pickup and departure times for each vanpool, emergencies do occasionally arise. If a rider needs to go home early or work late, there is a Guaranteed Ride Home option through the Certified Auto Ride in an Emergency, or CARE, program.

Vanpools aren't agency specific. Denise Etherton, a member of AFCEE, rides in a van with members from Air Force Services Agency.

"We have the best van. There are 13 of us and we call our van 'Van 13'", Ms. Etherton said. "Not only has the vanpool saved me on gas money but I've made friends in the building I would have never met otherwise. We have all become very close! We hosted a potluck lunch in the building and even go to lunch together in the van."

People interested in joining or setting up a Bldg. 171 VIA vanpool can call Ms. Smith-Townsend at (210) 395-8809 for more information. For information on vanpooling to other locations in San Antonio, call (210) 362-2555.