Carpool Program
Rutgers Newark is located in an urban environment where parking is at a premium. As a result, the Parking Department has researched programs currently used by other Universities located in urban settings. While the University strongly encourages the use of public transportation, this option may not be practical for everyone. Therefore, the parking operation recommends carpooling and vanpooling. If you are in need of a carpool or vanpool partner, please use the following link to seek an individual or group in your home and work area.
Why carpooling can be beneficial?
- Save money
- Commute with friends or make new friends
- Better parking conditions
- Reduce Insurance Rates
- Help reduce traffic congestion and pollution for a cleaner environment
Save Money:
Carpooling and vanpooling saves you money. By sharing the commuting expense, everyone in the carpool/vanpool saves. Several ways in which carpooling and vanpooling can save you money include lower fuel expenses, shared toll expenses, and reduced mileage on personal vehicles which in turn saves on your vehicle maintenance. The costs of parking can also be shared by all carpooling/vanpooling members, thus reducing the individual parking expense.
Commute with Friends or Make New Friends:
Relationship building can be valuable to your success, and life-long friendships can prove to be rewarding in the future. Ridesharing helps foster such relationships. You will also find the ride to school/work during peak traffic hours and congestion more enjoyable while conversing and sharing the commute with friends. Anyone interested in the carpooling or vanpooling program who does not have anyone to carpool with may still take advantage of the program. If you do not have anyone to share the ride, the Parking Department will make every effort to match you with someone compatible. Simply call us at (973) 353-1839.
Better Parking Accomodations:
Carpooling commuters will have an assigned area to park in University Deck 1 located on University Avenue. The University Deck 1 is a prime location in the main part of campus. As many of you know, all students are familiar with this location and prefer to park there, causing this Deck to fill up quickly. Students who join the carpooling program will have priority parking in the area designated for vehicles with carpool hangtags. Students in this program will have the comfort of knowing that they can park out of the inclement weather by using University Deck 1.
Reduced Insurance Rates:
Most insurance companies offer discounted rates to their customers that demonstrate they are in a carpooling program and/or do not use their car for work or school. The Parking Department encourages all individuals to contact their insurance carrier to inquire as to what discounts exist.
Protect the environment:
By becoming a carpooler or vanpooler, you will be doing your part to help protect our environment. As we all know, less cars on the road means less traffic congestion, resulting in less pollution to our environment. Fewer cars on the road may also result in a reduction in auto and pedestrian accidents, less noise pollution, and less stress.
How does RN Carpooling work?
Two or more students who are capable of demonstrating a history of parking permit purchases, may jointly purchase a carpool permit which can be used only by the student who will be driving to the university on that given day. Students will be required to purchase a yearly Carpool Permit for a $23.00 fee and pay the $3.50 daily rate upon exiting the parking facilities. Students may purchase the corresponding window sticker(s) for $6.00 each. New Jersey state sales tax (7%) will be applied to all fees.
NOTE: This offer only applies to commuting students that have previously purchased a parking permit. Students who have enrolled in the carpooling program will not be eligible to purchase any additional parking permits until the carpooling permit expires (no exceptions). To purchase a carpool permit, students will have to return all current parking permits and request a refund. However, please note that carpool permits are non-refundable.
Once the permit has been purchased and is prominently displayed on the vehicle, the students may enjoy their privilege to park in the University Deck 1 reserved carpool spaces. All other parking regulations apply.
How does Vanpooling work?
Vanpools are provided by Meadowlink for individuals who prefer the conveniences of not having to drive their personal vehicles to and from the Rutgers-Newark campus, reducing commuting expenses, and communal commuting. Vanpools with seating availability presently commuting to Newark are arriving from Hillsborough, Piscataway, Toms River, and Phillipsburg, PA. You can choose to join an existing vanpool or start one yourself. Simply click on the “Seek” link above and complete the web registration form. Meadowlink will then match you with the driver of one of the aforementioned vanpools, identify a vanpool presently operating in your area, or assist you and your group in establishing your own vanpool. Or you can call (732) 462-3333 and speak with someone directly about all the benefits of vanpooling. Monthly vanpool fees are applicable. Faculty, staff, and students may all subscribe to the service. What’s more, in partnership with Meadowlink, NJ Transit partially subsidizes each vanpool. So don’t delay; learn how you could be commuting green and saving money today.
