Thursday's average gas prices fell from the day before, but not by much. One gallon of regular unleaded cost $3.14, down about a half cent from Wednesday.
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The continued high gas prices have people looking for ways to save at the pump. How about vanpooling?
It's not a novel idea, but it's something we don't see much in South Carolina.
A couple of private companies as well as the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority are trying to get people interested.
It's especially useful for people who have long commutes to work like Charles Thompson of Florence.
"I save almost $500 a month," Thompson says.
For two years, he and about 15 of his co-workers who work in Bennettsville, have taken a van to work. They use a nationwide company called VPSI, and here's how it works. VPSI provides the van, pays for the insurance and buys the gas. There's a monthly charge for each rider, and for Thompson, it's $115. The van is the group's to use, and the riders serve as the drivers.
"People are kind of apprehensive of riding in one of these programs but once you get involved in that program, you feel good about the fact that you're saving money," says Thompson.
Besides saving money, Thompson says it's more environmentally friendly and a good source of camaraderie.
The PDRTA hopes to start a similar vanpooling program and already has vans for people to use.
"If we could start with one, and people could watch that and see that it's positive and that there is a benefit to it, I think it would grow and people would use it," says PDRTA's Director of Operations Candice Knight.
Another benefit, says Knight, is that there are tax breaks involved. For riders, some of the expense is tax-free. And if your employer pays for it, they, too, would receive a tax break.
If you would like more information on vanpooling, contact the PDRTA at 843-665-2227.
