Anyone ever taken the vanpool?

<p>I was thinking about buying a ticket once a week to come back home. I was wondering if it fills up.</p>

<p>Since you would be a part-time rider I think you have to contact the driver every time you want to ride in order to check if there is room on board. And then you buy the ticket.</p>

<p>I had seriously considered van pooling every day but decided against it in the end. When I go home on the weekends I’m just gonna take the Metro.</p>

<p>how much is that?</p>

<p>Vanpool is kind of annoying. The timing is all geared towards those who ride it, aka people who work at UCLA (so think get there 7-8, leave 4-5). I’ve done it a few times and it’s not bad, especially when the lady forgot to take my ticket 3 times.</p>

<p>^Yeah, the drivers have no motivation to check for or take your ticket whatsoever. I had the same experience with my driver to Arcadia. I even shove the ticket in his face at the end but he didn’t want it.</p>

<p>From my experience with the vanpool, they’re pretty full and uncomfortable and they try to reach their destination by driving through rushtime traffic. It isn’t the best experience but it isn’t the worst.</p>

<p>Granted I work for the University, so I’m a little biased ;-)</p>

<p>I’ve done the one-way twice, once to San Gabriel and once to Redondo Beach/Torrance. The vans are clean. They’re 15-passenger vans that seat 11. They’ve got established ‘communities’, so I find it helpful to ask where can I sit (lest I take somebody else’s seat… awkward!) You have to be a bit pro-active in coming by the Transportation lobby to buy your ticket, and to get a listing of phone numbers or email addresses for potential vans to ride. </p>

<p>Depending on where you’re going, the vanpool could save you a ton of time for travel during rush-hour traffic. For instance, I got to San Gabriel in like 50 minutes since we were able to take the El Monte Busway, which is reserved for buses and cars with 3+ people.</p>

<p>The cost of a one-way ticket varies by distance: Visit here [Vanpool</a> Map](<a href=“http://www.transportation.ucla.edu/apps/gen_apps/vanpool/vans.asp]Vanpool”>http://www.transportation.ucla.edu/apps/gen_apps/vanpool/vans.asp) to look up your destination’s cost. It varies between $5.50 and $10. </p>

<p>The drivers I dealt with were actually really timely in getting back to me with my query, which was great.</p>

<p>Here are some Yelp reviews of the vanpool:[UCLA</a> Vanpool - Westwood - Los Angeles, CA](<a href=“http://www.yelp.com/biz/ucla-vanpool-los-angeles]UCLA”>http://www.yelp.com/biz/ucla-vanpool-los-angeles)</p>

<p>What are some options for getting to orange county from ucla not via car?</p>

<p>If you’re rich, maybe a helicopter? </p>

<p>JK. I take the vanpool to Orange County (Anaheim) for $7.50 and it’s not bad at all. Sure it’s crowded and leaves late (around 5pm) but my driver makes great effort to get back as legally fast as possible. It’s a lot less hassle than taking the Metro or other public transit because they pick me up on campus and drop me off near my dad’s work place.</p>

<p>Yeah I forgot that - They have assigned seating and ****. It’s really gay, like you’re back in middle school and crap. I mean, its a flippin car. Its not gonna kill you to sit on the right side vs the left for less than a hour.</p>

<p>@ lookingglass. How often did it fill up? Since you paid $7.50 I assume you are a part time rider? Did you ever get stranded at ucla?</p>

<p>I’ve always gotten a seat when I wanted to go home, which is 4 times per quarter. You can get the driver’s number when you buy your ticket and call him/her in the morning to reserve a seat. Usually if it’s before a holiday weekend or break, the van is packed so you have to call early in the morning (like 8am) or the day before. I got stranded once --only because I was a minute late and the driver took off without me. Anyway, I recommend having at least 3 drivers’ numbers on your phone so if one is full, you have backup.</p>