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Aug 20, 2008 7:10 pm US/Central
'Van Pooling' Catching On With Some North Texans
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 News) ―
The toughest part of Sunny Manivong's job may be just getting to work. He works "first" shift. Getting in traffic half-asleep to make it his 5 a.m. job was tough. But Manivong found a solution -- and a way to save hundreds of dollars -- a van pool.
"I don't have to drive so I don't have to worry about me falling asleep behind the wheel," Manivong said. "I take a quick nap before work in the van."
The vans come from the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, or The T. They're among the fastest growing means of public transportation in the metroplex.
His company, ATC Logistics and Electronics drew 10 vans from The T. And when word spread the 140-seats were a hot commodity.
"When I found that people were all trying to get on the van I was actually trying to get on the van," Manivong said.
"I was interested in it because right now I use a lot in gas," said Gracie Sanchez, Manivong's coworker. "I waste $80 to $90 a week just coming here, not counting the other errands I have to do at home."
Saving almost $400 a month is a big incentive. Coworkers organized their own 14-member van pools. That way they all know each other, they all ride and work together, and they all save lots of money.
"Its like team work for us. We all like it," Sanchez said.
So many like the idea that, the Fort Worth Transit Authority is applying for more grants to expand the program and take care of the growing list of people waiting to van pool.
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