UCLA Vanpool

I would have easily given 5 stars to UCLA Vanpool if the drivers were compensated better. That being said, I am not a driver. They only get 50% off their fee if there is 2 or more drivers.
The pros outweigh the cons. I work in the area and commute from Agoura. Most of van passengers are very nice. Some want to chit chat and others want to sleep. To each his own and most friendly all around.
Yes back seat is bumpier than other seats, but you also dont have to worry about stress of seeing the traffic either.
I notice a big difference from my stress level being on vanpool vice driving in myself. On those days I do have to drive myself, I find myself having bigger appeeciation of vanpool.
The prices really are reasonable considering gas and parking rates now. Its $ 206 per month for non-​UCLA folk. I was paying over $ 450 in gas driving myself.
Since there arent enough driver volunteers, theres not as many vans so there can be a waiting list in your area. I would recommend putting your name on different lists close to your house for your best bet to get on.

The UCLA Vanpool is really a convenient and alternative way of getting to the glorious campus of UCLA — the best school in the west and a great place to work as well. The UCLA Vanpool is offered to students, staff and even people who work in westwood. The price you take it rivals driving in and paying for parking and especially when you take in consideration an hour or two spent in traffic and wasting gas. Wouldnt you rather read a book or sleep for that time — thats what I do.
Pros: Save Gas, Gain some sleep, Sanity, Good Vanpool drivers like Gabriel M and Alan who know their way around and look at the traffic reports ahead of time, cost.
Cons: If you drive in you will need to pay 5 bucks (your limited though for a year and its better than paying full price –11 bucks), loss of freedom (if Obama is visiting you cant leave early), Back seats are really bumpy, No GPS or Audio out (good if you drive the van and want to find alternative routes, view traffic and for Audio out to connect your ipod).

UCLA vanpool system is one of the best commute programs available. Specially now days with the increasing gasoline prices and down economy you cannot find a better way to commute to and from work. Very comfortable vehicles, friendly riders and convenient pick-​up/​drop-​off locations.

Vanpool is one of the best ways to get home from UCLA if you don’t have someone to take you home. The vans will almost always leave on time or before so get there really early and wait. I also recommend knowing the driver’s number so that you can call up to make sure where you’re meeting. Bring a laptop to watch movies or be tired or else you’ll be bored.

I’ve been taking the Vanpool for the last six months and although I absolutely despise waking up at 4:30AM and arriving at the pickup at 5:20AM, the vanpool service is actually very fair, well maintained, and efficient. We leave before rush-​hour and come home before rush-​hour. The rates are affordable ($ 175/​month commuting between Laguna Hills and UCLA) and my particular van was filled with very friendly people.
Driving to UCLA by myself would’ve been 10x the misery and I’m so happy that the vanpool service exists.
The only con: The van can be extremely bumpy if there is not enough weight dampening the bouncing. This can really ruin the rest of your day. Trust me.
I’d like to finish off by saying that UCLA does not treat their vanpool drivers nicely. For the Orange County line, driving each way (usually 3 hours a day) waives your vanpool fee but they get no other compensation. If you do the math, that’s like $ 2/​hour. It’s no wonder that there are so few vanpools going on! If there are two drivers, you only get 50% off your monthly dues. Not okay UCLA. They really should raise rates and compensate the drivers more. (I was not a driver and only found out how horrible the system was towards the end of my time here at UCLA.)

So sad that the blue UCLA paint was removed. now the van just looks like a gardening/​plumbing van. Despite that, you are LUCKY to get on a van to go to UCLA since sometimes it’s crazy hard to get on (since space is so limited lol)
Service is GREAT, driver is nice, ppl who ride it? You are LUCKY if everyone is just silent, lol, well sometimes you just gotta treat it as a drama, kinda fun to watch but don’t get involved unless you want to cause MORE trouble.
Comfortable IF ppl sitting next to you are not takin half of your already limited space! AC could be on all the time, unless someone screams from the back «DRIVER, it’s too COLD» and then you hear «DRIVER, it’s too stuffy to me» LOL well, you just gotta think «It’s not easy for me to get on the van and I gotta stick to it no matter what»!
Conclusion: for what it’s worth, it’s SOOoooOOO ooooo OOOOOO much better than driving in to school if you live in Riverside (believe it or not, they do have service from Riverside all the way to Westwood) :]

There is no downside to the Vanpool! The service is tailored to UCLA faculty and employees, so the hours are necessarily work day hours. For example, I took the van all summer from Arcadia (about 35 miles east of Westwood), and we left at 6:40 every morning and arrived on campus at 7:30. We left campus at 5pm and got home at 6pm. The bus drivers are nice, as are the other riders (everyone chats a little), and everyone’s really responsible about letting others know their ride schedules and what days they plan to show up.
If you ever need to ride to UCLA on a regular basis, this is absolutely the way to go. The «part time» tickets (basically one way pay-​per-​ride tickets) are a little expensive relative to the monthly fees, but still less expensive than the cost of gas. Plus, both rides are much faster than driving myself.
This service is for responsible people. We have never been more than five minutes off schedule, so there is definitely no waiting around for people to come. Make sure you’re on time!
The only trouble right now is that there seems to be too few vans. I guess it’s impossible for UCLA Transportation to have half-​filled vans full of part time riders, but know that as a part time rider you’re not always going to have a seat. It’s best to check with the driver (s) the night before.
And it gets really cold on the vans, which I love but understand that some people hate.
All in all, love this service. It’s perfect.

Weekends my first 2 years at UCLA PLUS two summers with the Vanpool. Two very LONG summers.
Things to know before you board:
– bring a blanket rolled up that can double as a blanket (see pt. below)
– it gets EXTREMELY cold on vanpools.
– if you get carsick, train yourself to fall asleep IMMEDIATELY after you get in the van. no one likes a puker.
– they leave either EXACTLY on time OR 5 – 10 minutes EARLY. never get there late. they will leave you. it will suck.
– keep the number of all the drivers for all the vans going from your area. in case you miss one or need to change vans, it is imperative since the transportation office can get flooded at times.
– if you are not a regular rider, always keep a spare ticket in your bag… you may be late one day, or forget your ticket and need the extra — I once had to beg the entire like of 30+ people at the Transport office to let me cut and buy a ticket for the van leaving in… 5 minutes. I love them, they hated me.
– do not drink ANYTHING after 12 p.m. if you have an afternoon ride. traffic can make them last twice as long and they don’t do bathroom breaks. (i suppose another alternative is to wear Depends)
– if you don’t work right away, there are very few places to bide time in the morning: Wooden Gym, Peets, CB, Starbucks, Stan’s Donuts). All other places in westwood do not open until after 8:30 a.m. at EARLIEST.
Follow these rules and you’ll have a great vanpool experience (you know, except for that whole waking up at 5 a.m. to catch it part)!