Corina Horstman quickly computes her monthly savings as she catches a round-trip commuter van from her Ronan home to her Missoula job.
She spends about $108 for a monthly van pass instead of $320 to fill up her Dodge Neon and drive to the University of Montana, where she works as an administrative assistant.
With escalating gas prices, more and more people are examining alternatives to driving their cars alone. It's a question of simple math as people calculate their out-of-pocket costs for gas and vehicle wear.
Western Montana's van commuters also said they prefer to let someone else do the driving in inclement weather - and they enjoy the camaraderie of other riders.
With gas prices edging past the $4-a-gallon mark, with no end in sight, vanpool riders said the savings are well worth the loss of autonomy.
In Montana, prices hit about $4.142 a gallon for regular unleaded as the Fourth of July weekend began, compared with $3.083 a year ago. (Pity the Alaska residents who face $4.689 a gallon, Californians who stomach $4.574 a gallon or Hawaiians who endure $4.441 a gallon for regular unleaded, according the AAA's daily fuel gauge report.)
Some private employers, such as The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, offer a free commuter shuttle for employees in the Missoula area. Earlier this year, they purchased a school bus to accommodate the increased riders and augment their existing shuttle vans.
Horstman and others catch one of 12 commuter vans organized by the nonprofit Missoula Ravalli Transportation Management Association.
Several private employers, including GlaxoSmithKline in Hamilton, Smurfit Stone Container Corp. in Frenchtown and the University of Montana's Flathead Lake Biological Station in Yellow Bay run free or subsidized commuter vans using the nonprofit's fleet.
In May, 151 people commuted to work in the nonprofit's vans, several of which have been noticeably fuller since gas prices spiked, according to several riders.
And Meaghan Dougherty, vanpool coordinator for the nonprofit, said she's fielded more and more calls from people who want to use the commuter vans.
“There are 121 people on our waiting list. It isn't moving quickly at all because people aren't leaving the vanpool,” she said. “Some people are frustrated because of the gas prices.”
She said there is a link on the MRTMA Web site, www.mrtma.org, to a ride-sharing program for people who are interested in commuting with others.
MTRMA also offers a guaranteed ride home where vanpool riders can take a cab home, up to four times a year, if they miss a van for some reason, such as working overtime or if a child is sick.
Kathleen Whetzel, who lives north of Arlee and works at UM, said she's ridden in the commuter van for about two years. It helps her save on fuel, mileage, oil and other vehicle upkeep.
“I think it is a wise choice because I would drive 35 miles each way and now I fill up my car once a month instead of more often,” she said. “It's a tremendous savings.”
Paws Up recently expanded the employee shuttle service the resort started when it opened in June 2005.
In May, the resort purchased a former school bus for about $5,000 to accommodate the increased riders. In past years, about 25 to 30 employees caught the shuttle each day, while about 50 do nowadays. About 240 people work at the resort this summer, said Scott Randall, assistant general manager.
While there is a year-round shuttle, the service isn't as extensive as in the summer when the resort is busy, Randall said.
Terre Short, the resort's general manager, said Paws Up recently purchased 18 electric cars for guests to use around the ranch. The resort also reimburses employees $10 a day for carpooling.
Greg Tomlinson, director of purchasing, said he's taken the commuter service for about a year. Otherwise, he said he faces about $500 in monthly gas costs for his Jeep Liberty.
“Mainly, it is because of the fuel costs, the environment and the ease of access to the ranch,” he said. “And it's a great way to get to know some of your fellow employees.”
Marci Jensen-Middlebrook, executive assistant, said she feels safe riding in the van or the bus. While it takes a little longer, with stops in Bonner, East Missoula and Missoula, she enjoys talking with other employees and watching the wildlife out the windows.
“I've driven through the Blackfoot through blinding snowstorms and black ice. That is when I made a decision to carpool and ride the bus,” she said. “Because I'm not driving, I'm reducing my carbon footprint and that means a lot to me.”
Reporter Pamela J. Podger may be reached at 523-5241 or at pamela.podger@missoulian.com.
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