Home-grown commuter van pool has opening

A few years ago, Sonoma resident Susan McQuaid faced a dilemma. Five days a week her husband drove to his law office in downtown San Francisco. Anyone who has made that 120-mile, four-hour-or-so round trip knows what a toil it can take on the spirit, and family life, not to mention the gas, money and wear-and-tear on the car. The couple loved Sonoma, so moving was not an option. Her husband tried the commercial bus service but found it unreliable.
“We called it Godzilla. The bus was horrible. That’s when I figured, there has got to be a better way to commute to San Francisco from Sonoma.”
After a bit of researching and a call or two, McQuaid was on the road to finding a solution to her husband’s draining daily commute to SF. “I called Enterprise (Rent-A-Car); they made it simple to lease a luxury nine-passenger van through their rideshare program,” she said.
The McQuaids make no money on the homegrown rideshare operation. It’s an entirely co-op arrangement. The lease for the van and gas costs is split between all riders. Each person pays approximately $220 a month, and those who offer to drive get a bit of a break.
“Our van pool is less expensive than a commuter bus service, because we don’t have a paid driver. We give the riders the option of taking turns driving. They then get a driver credit which can bring the monthly cost to below $200,” McQuaid said.
The insurance is covered by Enterprise and there are no parking fees to pay. “San Francisco is very supportive of van-pooling, so they let us park our van anywhere for free,” she said. “If you’ve ever tried to park in downtown San Francisco, you know what a benefit that is!”
McQuaid’s van pool also takes the loneliness out of the long-distance commute, a problem psychologists say is common among solo commuters.
“Our riders have all gotten to be friends. Commuting is less stressful when you’re not alone. We have such a great group of people who are considerate of each other and dependable – and with our van pool that’s important,” she said with a laugh.
Currently, McQuaid’s van pool has an opening. But the seat is not for everyone. According to the McQuaids, the commuter van is only appropriate for someone who commutes from Sonoma to San Francisco, on a regular, five-day-a-week schedule.
“Our riders are mostly professional people who work in downtown San Francisco. And they all work basic business hours. So it won’t work for everyone. But for the right someone, our van pool is the only way to go. Just ask my husband!”
Those interested in the opportunity of joining McQuaid’s van pool group are urged to call Susan McQuaid at 707.933.8665 for information.