Ranch launches vanpool program

Beginning Monday, April 1, a Dodge Ram 15-seater is transporting workers who live in Redmond to their jobs at Black Butte Ranch.

"It's hoped that these types of arrangements will improve air quality, reduce parking needs, lessen road traffic and make for happier employees," said to Jeff Monson, Commute Options Director for Central Oregon.

The cost is borne by a subsidy from the Oregon Department of Transportation and handled by Commute Options.

"We're looking for other area businesses to partner with in these vanpool projects," Monson said.

The vanpool "seeding" operation has funding until October of this year. It is hoped, if successful, that BBR will then pick up costs for continuing the vanpool. At present, BBR picks up any individual costs of the employees riding the vanpool.

"It's great for our housekeeping employees and others who live in Redmond," said BBR manager Loy Helmly.

The van leaves seven days a week from the Safeway store parking lot about 7 a.m. and returns from Black Butte Ranch in the later afternoon.

The commute is about 31 miles one-way and benefits are obvious to both workers and the environment. The van driver gets an extra "perk" as he gets to use the vehicle after work and take it home (paying for gas used).

Commute Options, a nonprofit group, is in its 12th year of operation in Central Oregon.

"We hope to educate people in alternative forms of transportation such as biking, walking, vanpooling, etc., to lessen traffic congestion on our roads," said Monson.

June 3-9 is Commute Options week this year and several promotional events are scheduled throughout Central Oregon.

There are 11 Commute Options parking lots in Central Oregon where people can park their cars and carpool vanpool. Sisters has one of these lots behind the Sisters Pumphouse.