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Meet Kai

Name: Kai
Occupation: Vice President, Loan Review
Employer: Columbia Bank
Gets around by: Vanpool

Where do you live and where do you work?
I live in West Olympia but work in Downtown Tacoma.  It’s 31 miles, and if I were driving alone, it would be very difficult to really relax – especially during rainy periods.

How do you get there?
I’ve used the vanpool to get to work Monday through Friday for the past two and a half years.  At first, my biggest hurdle was the idea of riding in a vanpool with strangers.  They all knew each other from their current job and at first I felt like an outsider.  Boy, was I wrong! They were very welcoming, made me feel comfortable and were very open to answer any questions I had about the vanpool.

How does it all add up?
I estimate my cost savings to be around $200 each month, or $2,400 per year.  That’s a real savings.  My company provides a subsidy to those of us who commute this way.  It’s also better for the environment.

What’s in it for you?
It’s a much less stressful way to get to work, and I enjoy the time to myself and the ability to relax.  The best part of the commute, though, is making a small contribution to the betterment of the environment and – just as important – it’s a lot of fun!

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