Can Transit and Vanpools Co-Exist? A Smarter Way to Stretch Your Network

Transit agencies are under constant pressure to do more with less — cover more ground, serve more riders, and justify every dollar of operating cost. But what if the answer to your coverage gaps and budget headaches isn't another bus route? What if it's a van?

In this webinar, two transit professionals who have lived this challenge will make the case that vanpools aren't competition for fixed-route transit — they're a force multiplier.

Scott Miklos of the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County and Joe Stainsby, Chief Development Officer at the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), will walk through real-world examples of how their agencies strategically replaced underperforming, low-ridership routes with vanpool services — and came out ahead. Not just in cost savings, but in rider satisfaction, geographic coverage, and formula funding allocations.

You'll come away from this session with a clearer picture of:

• How vanpools can fill service gaps that fixed-route transit simply can't serve cost-effectively
• How replacing the right routes can actually increase your agency's formula funding eligibility
• What a transit-vanpool partnership looks like in practice, and how to make the internal case for it
• Lessons learned from two agencies that have already made it work

Whether you're a transit planner, a finance director, or a mobility manager trying to think creatively about your network, this session will give you a new lens for how all the pieces can fit together.

Scott Miklos is the Trip Reduction Analyst for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County in Reno, Nevada. He has been in the TDM industry for over 30 year’s beginning as an Employee Transportation Coordinator for an aerospace company in the 80’s. In his career he has worked for both private companies and public agencies promoting alternative transportation. He currently over sees the agency’s TDM program, which includes the vanpool program.

Joe Stainsby is the Chief Development Officer for OmniRide. In this role he executes the vision and direction of the Board of Commissioners and Strategic Plan to lead development and growth of new and/or improved transportation solutions for the region. Solutions are targeted to increase transit and multi-modal transportation use as OmniRide shifts from a transit system to a transportation development leader, using all fiscally responsible methods possible. Emphasis is on ridership growth, targeted transportation expansion and reduction of single vehicle use within the associated corridors. Provides overall management and supervision of department staff to include Planning, Mobility Services and Marketing & Communications.

He joined OmniRide January 2013 and originally ran the Vanpool Alliance regional incentive program before his current role which he took on in 2020. Previously Joe spent the six years at VPSI/VRIDE vanpool companies . Joe earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Social Anthropology from Brunel University in London. Raised in England, he moved to Northern Virginia in August 2003 and now lives in Alexandria with his wife Leiloni and their children Lily, 12, and William, 10

He enjoys camping, video games and travel.

Angie Wilkie has been the Vanpool Program Coordinator, at Valley Metro for the past 12 years. All of her co-workers call her VANgie.

She has been transforming the Valley Metro vanpool program into a more fuel-efficient program over that past year and has been instrumental in growing ridership of the vanpool program by 15% over the past year.

Angie coordinates outreach and marketing efforts to more than 1,200 employers in Maricopa County as part of the Trip Reduction Program. Angie works closely with key stakeholders, community leaders and local partners to continue to build awareness of the vanpool program. 
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Angie has made the Valley of the Sun her home for the past 49 years. Outside of work, She enjoys hiking, golfing, and biking when the weather in Arizona is nice, not 120 degress. 
She enjoys spending time with her family and loves to spoil her dog, Frankie.