University employees and students who commute from Spokane to WSU do not have to ride alone, said WSU assistant professor Kelly Puzio.

The Spokane-Pullman vanpool service provides daily rides for WSU commuters.

“The van-pool primarily targets employees of the university, but it works for some students as well,” said Puzio, who began the vanpool about a year ago.

Puzio said the idea to start the program came to him when he saw other successful vanpools in the area, and knew that he did not want to make the daily hour and a half drive to Pullman by himself.

He said it’s is also a great way to promote community on the road.

“It’s a good group of people. Usually passengers sleep, but sometimes we work, watch movies, listen to music, or talk,” Puzio said. 

He said the benefits of using the service include increased road safety, sharing of responsibility and saving gas and time. He added the vanpool would save patrons money in the long run, as the cost is about $120 a month. Members also take turns driving, Puzio said.

The vanpool is administrated through the Spokane Transit Authority, which provides the van, support and some funding, he said.

The Spokane-Pullman vanpool operates Monday through Friday all year. The van leaves Spokane at 6:10 a.m., arrives in Pullman at 7:45 a.m. and leaves Pullman at 5 p.m. It arrives back in Spokane at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about the vanpool, email Puzio at [email protected].