When Cornell employee Wendy Treat of Burdett, N.Y., learned that Schuyler County cut funding for TCAT bus service to her area, she was worried about finding an affordable way to get to work.

Fortunately, there was an immediate solution.

In 2009 TCAT, with the help of Cornell's transportation department, had signed a contract with VPSI Inc., the nation's leading vanpool provider, to provide alternative transportation when fixed bus route service is unavailable.

So Treat and eight other Schuyler County commuters investigated the option, liked what they learned and formed the region's first vanpool, which began Jan. 3.

"I do hope that more people will realize that this is a safe, reliable and efficient way to get back and forth to work," said Treat, who was among 40 people who attended the vanpool kickoff celebration and news conference at Cornell's Biotechnology Building Jan. 14.

VPSI provides the van, along with insurance, maintenance and repairs. Members of the vanpool share the cost of the service. But -- especially when employers such as Cornell provide a subsidy -- the savings compared with using individual vehicles are substantial. The cost varies based on number of vanpoolers, but the Cornell riders in Treat's van pay $50 a month, plus gas.

Treat's fellow vanpooler Kim Scott, who also works at Cornell, said vanpooling enables her to arrive to work early, "which means I am not as rushed." And, better yet, she said: "I get home at least 45 minutes earlier than I used to."

Indeed, TCAT, VPSI, Ithaca Carshare and Cornell officials hope to get more vans on the road. TCAT and VPSI representatives said they hope that other employers will follow Cornell's lead to provide subsidies. To be sure, said Jesse Kafka, VPSI's business development executive, it is a fairly inexpensive perk to offer employees compared with other benefits.

Though it took some time to form the first vanpool, TCAT General Manager Joe Turcotte said he expects to see more VPSI vans on the road as gas prices continue to increase.

Vanpoolers also enjoy an added perk: Ithaca Carshare provides vanpoolers with free memberships in Carshare, should they need a car during the day to run errands or to attend appointments. For emergencies, such as the need to tend to a sick child, Cornell offers emergency rides home during the workday.

Information: http://www.vanride.com or call 1-800-VAN-RIDE.

Patty Poist is communications and marketing manager at TCAT.