CarPool Program
Think CarPooling may be right for you?
The goal of the VCU CarPool Program is to reduce the number of single occupant vehicles commuting to campus. We are committed to helping improve air quality, safety and reducing traffic congestion in our area. Carpooling will also benefit carpool members by providing financial savings (FREE PARKING!). Your total cost savings can be calculated using the Commuter Calculator. The CarPool Program is open to full-time classified VCU/VCUHS faculty and staff only.
VCU will provide incentives to car poolers that include:
Free parking
Access to 6 free exit coupons for secondary members annually
Free emergency rides home through RideFinders
Preferred parking assignments
Getting Started - CarPools
CarPools must have a minimum of 3 participants,
and one member must be identified as the Primary Rider
Participants must be full-time VCU/VCUHS
faculty and staff
Once all riders have completed the registration
process, they will need to return any current permits to the Parking and Transportation Services' customer service center
During the initial year of the program, the
CarPool permit must be renewed every six months
Primary Rider
The Primary Rider will need to fill out the CarPool registration form and will be the responsible party for:
The CarPool permit (presented once all riders have registered)
CarPool permit renewals
Updating changes to the CarPool (such as a change in the number of participants)
CarPool Permit
The CarPool permit may be used with any vehicle registered to any of the members of the CarPool group to which the CarPool permit is assigned. The CarPool permit is intended to be passed between the members, depending upon who is driving the CarPool vehicle on a particular day.
There is only one CarPool permit per group, so group members are responsible for ensuring that the permit is always displayed on the vehicle that is being used for the CarPool on a particular day.
When riders miss the CarPool, they are expected to use their exit coupon to park for the day in a pay-per-day parking facility (see below). Any CarPool member who forgets their exit coupon or CarPool permit must pay the daily parking rate if they park in a pay-per-day deck.
Exit Coupons
For those times when you need to bring your own vehicle, each CarPool participant will get six exit coupons for a pay-per-day deck (valid at West Main Street Deck, West Broad Street Deck, West Cary Street Deck, Bowe Street Deck, Jefferson Street Deck and Eighth Street Deck). Just present the exit coupon to the cashier as you are leaving the parking deck.
All CarPool members will need to return any current permits to the Parking and Transportation Services' customer service center. At that time, each member of the CarPool will receive six exit coupons for cash decks. The six exit coupons are non-transferable, except among carpool riders within the group.
Have an Emergency and Need a Ride Home?
Concerned about getting home in case of an emergency? All participants who carpool at least 3 times a week are eligible for the Emergency Ride Home Program provided by RideFinders. Once all riders have completed the registration process, their information will be registered with RideFinders for enrollment in the Emergency Ride Home Program. This program provides a safety net in the event of an emergency or having to work late.
Preferred Parking Assignment
CarPool groups will receive preferred parking assignments.
For the MCV Campus, CarPool groups may choose:
D-Deck
N-Deck
8th Street Deck
On the Monroe Park Campus, groups may choose:
West Cary Street Deck
Jefferson Street Deck
West Broad Street Deck
Bowe Street Deck
Changes to Ridership
A member of the CarPool must contact the Parking and Transportation Services customer service center within five business days of a change in the number of CarPool participants. Permits will remain valid for thirty days in the event the total number of participants drops below three. When the number of riders is below three for more than thirty days, the CarPool permit will become invalid. The permit and exit coupons must be turned in to the parking office. Each member of the CarPool may be reassigned to a new parking location based upon availability, though every effort will be made to allow former subscribers to return to their last parking assignment.
Abuse or Misuse of the CarPool Permit
Misuse of the CarPool permit or program by any participant may result in a suspension from the overall VCU parking program determined at the sole discretion of VCU's Parking Manager.
Find a CarPool partner by adding your ride to VCU's Zimride Rideshare system. Zimride will help you match up for everyday carpools! Sign up today at zimride.vcu.edu.
The CarPool Program will be limited to 50 carpooling groups per campus. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, but priority will be given to existing parking subscribers if initial demand exceeds the limit. Once a campus limit is reached, interested groups may have their names placed on a waiting list.
The goal of the VCU CarPool Program is to reduce the number of single occupant vehicles commuting to campus. We are committed to helping improve air quality, safety and reducing traffic congestion in our area. Carpooling will also benefit carpool members by providing financial savings (FREE PARKING!). Your total cost savings can be calculated using the Commuter Calculator. The CarPool Program is open to full-time classified VCU/VCUHS faculty and staff only.
VCU will provide incentives to car poolers that include:
Free parking Access to 6 free exit coupons for secondary members annually Free emergency rides home through RideFinders Preferred parking assignmentsGetting Started - CarPools
CarPools must have a minimum of 3 participants,
and one member must be identified as the Primary Rider Participants must be full-time VCU/VCUHS
faculty and staff Once all riders have completed the registration
process, they will need to return any current permits to the Parking and Transportation Services' customer service center During the initial year of the program, the
CarPool permit must be renewed every six monthsPrimary Rider
The Primary Rider will need to fill out the CarPool registration form and will be the responsible party for:
The CarPool permit (presented once all riders have registered) CarPool permit renewals Updating changes to the CarPool (such as a change in the number of participants)CarPool Permit
The CarPool permit may be used with any vehicle registered to any of the members of the CarPool group to which the CarPool permit is assigned. The CarPool permit is intended to be passed between the members, depending upon who is driving the CarPool vehicle on a particular day.
There is only one CarPool permit per group, so group members are responsible for ensuring that the permit is always displayed on the vehicle that is being used for the CarPool on a particular day.
When riders miss the CarPool, they are expected to use their exit coupon to park for the day in a pay-per-day parking facility (see below). Any CarPool member who forgets their exit coupon or CarPool permit must pay the daily parking rate if they park in a pay-per-day deck.
Exit Coupons
For those times when you need to bring your own vehicle, each CarPool participant will get six exit coupons for a pay-per-day deck (valid at West Main Street Deck, West Broad Street Deck, West Cary Street Deck, Bowe Street Deck, Jefferson Street Deck and Eighth Street Deck). Just present the exit coupon to the cashier as you are leaving the parking deck.
All CarPool members will need to return any current permits to the Parking and Transportation Services' customer service center. At that time, each member of the CarPool will receive six exit coupons for cash decks. The six exit coupons are non-transferable, except among carpool riders within the group.
Have an Emergency and Need a Ride Home?
Concerned about getting home in case of an emergency? All participants who carpool at least 3 times a week are eligible for the Emergency Ride Home Program provided by RideFinders. Once all riders have completed the registration process, their information will be registered with RideFinders for enrollment in the Emergency Ride Home Program. This program provides a safety net in the event of an emergency or having to work late.
Preferred Parking Assignment
CarPool groups will receive preferred parking assignments.
For the MCV Campus, CarPool groups may choose:
D-Deck N-Deck 8th Street DeckOn the Monroe Park Campus, groups may choose:
West Cary Street Deck Jefferson Street Deck West Broad Street Deck Bowe Street DeckChanges to Ridership
A member of the CarPool must contact the Parking and Transportation Services customer service center within five business days of a change in the number of CarPool participants. Permits will remain valid for thirty days in the event the total number of participants drops below three. When the number of riders is below three for more than thirty days, the CarPool permit will become invalid. The permit and exit coupons must be turned in to the parking office. Each member of the CarPool may be reassigned to a new parking location based upon availability, though every effort will be made to allow former subscribers to return to their last parking assignment.
Abuse or Misuse of the CarPool Permit
Misuse of the CarPool permit or program by any participant may result in a suspension from the overall VCU parking program determined at the sole discretion of VCU's Parking Manager.
Find a CarPool partner by adding your ride to VCU's Zimride Rideshare system. Zimride will help you match up for everyday carpools! Sign up today at zimride.vcu.edu.
The CarPool Program will be limited to 50 carpooling groups per campus. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, but priority will be given to existing parking subscribers if initial demand exceeds the limit. Once a campus limit is reached, interested groups may have their names placed on a waiting list.