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Answers
1) What is FAST Potomac Yard?
FAST stands for Full Access Solutions in Transportation. We
promote environmentally friendly means of transit, such as buses,
carpools, vanpools, walking and biking. Our job is to discourage
SOVs (single occupancy vehicles) from driving on the roads.
2) What is the FAST Gas Pass Program?
FAST will supply up to $100/quarter in gas cards for carpools and up
to $200/quarter in gas cards for vanpools that are eligible to receive
these benefits if they complete the online registration process and
maintain a carpool/vanpool log. Additional information can be found
on the FAST website.
3) I’m not sure if I’m eligible for the program. How can I find out?
Contact FAST Potomac Yard prior to filling out the online registration form.
4) What is a carpool?
A carpool consists of two or more people (up to six) driving together
in the same car to their place (or places) of business. Carpools usually
consist of individuals who live near each other and are employees of
the same company (or are employees of different companies located
only a short distance apart) and have the same work hours.
5) What is a vanpool?
A vanpool consists of 7-15 people driving together in a van or
other large capacity vehicle to their place (or places) of business.
Vanpools usually consist of individuals who live near each other and
are employees of the same company (or are employees of different
companies located only a short distance apart) and have the same
work hours.
6) How do I sign up for the Carpool/Vanpool Program (aka FAST Gas Pass)?
You can sign up via our website at www.fastpotomacyard.com. Just follow the prompts.
7) Can I fill out/will you accept a paper registration?
No. You can only register via the website.
8) What are the benefits to carpool/vanpooling?
Besides the benefits provided by FAST
-Carpools and vanpools result in fewer harmful emissions for our
environment
-Both carpool and vanpools can take advantage of High Occupancy
Vehicle (HOV) lanes to reach their destinations faster
-Employees that carpool/vanpool can lower their gasoline bills,
insurance costs and car maintenance
-Carpooling/Vanpooling reduces the need for parking and therefore
reduces overall parking costs
-Studies indicate that employees who carpool have less stress
traveling to work, show improved productivity, less tardiness, and
lower absenteeism
*You may also be eligible for benefits provided by your parking
garage. Check with the parking attendant for more information.
*Carpoolers/Vanpoolers can sign up for NuRide, which is a rewards-
based service that gives points for each environmentally-friendly trip
you take. You can redeem your points at local shops for discounts
and gift certificates (much like frequent flyer miles). For more
information, check out www.NuRide.com.
*Commuter Connections provides a Ridematching service
and a Guaranteed Ride Home program for anyone who needs
to find a carpool/vanpool. Find out more information at
www.commuterconnections.com
9) Exactly how does the Carpooling/Vanpooling (FAST Gas Pass) work?
The carpool/vanpool captain (a.k.a. “the driver”) is responsible
for filling out the Carpool/Vanpool Program Application. If your
carpool/vanpool has more than one driver, read the 4th paragraph.
This application has to be renewed every year to receive the benefit.
The carpool/vanpool captain (a.k.a. “the driver”) should also indicate
if there are others who take turns driving in the group and identify
who those individuals are on the application.
Upon approval of your application, anyone who is considered to be
a driver will receive a static decal that must be placed on the back
windshield of the vehicle you will be driving. The parking garage
attendants will be checking for these decals as you enter the garage.
For more information on the exact location of the static decal, please
visit _____________.
The captain (a.k.a. “the driver”) is also responsible for filling out the
carpool/vanpool log and returning the completed form on time. If
your group has more than one driver, you will need to select someone
who will be the “primary driver,” and that person will serve as “The
Captain.” The captain will be the recipient of the gas card if the
carpool/vanpool is eligible and all directions have been followed.
10) When are the carpool/vanpool logs due?
The completed log is due no later than:
April 5th - For the Jan-Mar log
July 5th - For the April-June log
October 5th – For the July-Sept log
January 5th - For the Oct-Dec log
11) When will the Captain (a.k.a. Driver) receive the FAST Gas Pass?
As long as everything checks out and all rules have been followed,
the Captain will receive the FAST Gas Pass in the same month the
carpool/vanpool log is due (April, July, October, January).
12) I lost my card. Can you send me a new one?
No. You’ll need to purchase a new SmarTrip card at a Metro station for $5.
13) Our Captain (a.k.a. Driver) was late getting last quarter’s log
sent in. Do we still get the FAST Gas Pass?
No. The logs are due on the 5th to ensure a streamlined process and
promote integrity.
14) Our carpool began on February 5th. Are we eligible to receive the
benefit for April?
No. Your carpool/vanpool has to have participated within the
predetermined timeframe and for the entire quarter in order to be
eligible for the benefit.
15) How many gas cards do we get?
One per quarter, per carpool/vanpool if you qualify. It is not one per
individual in the carpool/vanpool.
16) Can we get cash instead of a gas card?
No.
17) Can we choose the gas station we will get the gas card from??
Currently, no. It may be possible in the future to select a specific gas
station from a list, but not right now.
18) The members of our carpool/vanpool have changed. What do I
do?
Contact FAST at 240-450-5779. The Captain will need to update the
Carpool/Vanpool Program Application. It is very important to do
this immediately. Failure to do so may disqualify you for any benefits
and any future benefits of the program.
Note: You may need to fill out a new application and restart the
program depending on how your carpool/vanpool has changed. FAST
may determine, at their discretion, that the changes in your carpool/
vanpool amount to the formation of a new carpool, not a revision to
the existing carpool. If that is the case, your new group will need to
be registered and start the program over again.
19) Someone from our vanpool dropped out and now we only have 6
people. What do we do?
Contact FAST at 240-450-5779. Your “vanpool” is now technically
a “carpool.” This classifies as the formation of a new carpool and
your new group will need to be registered and start the program over
again.
If you are able to replace your group member within 2 weeks, FAST
will allow your group to continue to operate as a “vanpool” even
though you were without a 7th person for 2 weeks. You still need
to contact FAST at 240-450-5779 so we have record of the correct
members of your group.
20) Someone from our carpool dropped out and now we only have 1
person. What do I do?
Contact FAST at 240-450-5779. Your “carpool” is now technically a
Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) which is prohibited from receiving
benefits from FAST.
If you are able to replace your group member within 2 weeks, FAST
will allow your group to continue to operate as a “carpool” even
though you were without a 2nd person for 2 weeks. You still need
to contact FAST at 240-450-5779 so we have record of the correct
members of your group.
If you are unable to replace your group member within 2 weeks time,
you must forfeit your static decal on your back windshield to the
parking attendant immediately. Failure to do so may subject you to
fines and may jeopardize your ability to park in the garage.
21) We have not had any change in group members, but my
_______________ (address, vehicle, employer, last name) has
changed. What do I do?
Contact FAST at 240-450-5779 so we can make the adjustment on your application.
22) I would like to sign up for the 9S subsidy program. Can I do that
and participate in the carpool/vanpool program?
No. You may participate in one or the other, but not both. If you
switch from one program to the other, you will lose your benefits to
the other program. It is also possible that you may not be eligible to
receive benefits from one or both of the programs.
As a final reminder, FAST is providing this as a benefit to encourage
multiple passenger vehicles and this program may be discontinued at
any time. Once your carpool/vanpool is defunct, you will be asked
to forfeit your static decal on your back windshield to the parking
attendant immediately. Failure to do so may subject you to fines and
may jeopardize your ability to park in the garage.
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