Like seemingly everything else, the cost for daily commuters continues to rise.

In response, the Baldwin County Commission is attempting to improve transit systems, attract workers and reduce commuter expenses by having the Baldwin Region Area Transit System (BRATS) partner with Commute with Enterprise to provide vanpooling — what's described as "an innovative and sustainable shared mobility option."

BRATS is currently providing roughly 400 public transportation rides each day, so to limit traffic congestion, fuel emissions and commuter expenses while meeting increased demand and working around limitations regarding vehicle availability and drives, Baldwin County Commission offered this solution. Vanpooling is considered a crossover between traditional carpools, public transportation and ride-sharing services like UberPool, using designated drivers and pick-up times to provide the local community rides at reduced costs, as opposed to requesting new rides daily and/or being matched with new drivers and co-riders during each experience.

Commute with Enterprise is the largest vanpool provider in North America and calls vanpooling the safest mode of transportation in the U.S., citing the 2014 U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The company states its goal is to save commuters both time and money, also connecting and improving communities along the way.

"The Commute program is a coordinated vanpool program available to people who live inside or outside of Baldwin County and wish to access jobs in the area," Baldwin County Commission wrote in a Tuesday, April 16, press release. "The program coordinates participants who indicate their interest through various channels such as at their jobsite or via an online portal. The program then matches riders who have similar work shifts in similar areas and are interested in riding together. Each vanpool is customized to the specific needs of the group. Once four or more people are matched, a Commute with Enterprise representative will work with the group to identify needs and provide solutions. Commute with Enterprise provides the seven-15 passenger vehicle, insurance, maintenance and ongoing support."

Baldwin County Commission believes this initiative will help support employment needs for surrounding businesses and provide the community with a reliable public transportation option that wasn't previously available. Enterprise will allow participants to choose a qualifying vanpool vehicle from its selection including SUVs, minivans, large passenger vans and more, offering high-end feature upgrades like satellite radio and Wi-Fi service.

"The vanpool program will be partially subsidized by the Baldwin County Commission using local and federal grant funds," the press release noted. "The remaining cost is split among the employer and/or participants, with each vanpool rider paying a set fee per month. Enterprise will provide coordination services and technology, vehicles, liability insurance, scheduled vehicle maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance."

For those in Baldwin County interested in joining the program, visit https://BRATS.com/BRATScommute/ or https://www.commutewithenterprise.com/commute/en/partners/BRATS.html.