If you live in Lexington County but commute, this may be a solution for you.

Commute with Enterprise is partnering with the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority to offer convenient, efficient vanpooling.

The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, known as the COMET, offers Richland and Lexington Counties a range of mobility options, including bus service and ride sharing. It recently launched The COMET Vanpool, an alternative for regional commuters.

Companies looking for transportation for their employees can partner with COMET to offer this as an employee benefit.

The COMET Vanpool is supported by a monthly subsidy of $500 per vehicle to offset employee costs.

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute reported the average local driver loses $951 a year in lost time and wasted fuel due to increasing levels of traffic.

The average local commuter loses 38 hours annually to heavy traffic.

For an average commute of 100 miles a day, ride sharing can save up to $10,000 a year by reducing the cost of tolls, gas, vehicle maintenance and depreciation. It can also free up parking, allowing companies to use space more efficiently.

Participants can choose a qualifying vanpool vehicle from a selection of makes and models that includes crossovers, SUVs, minivans and large passenger vans.

A Guaranteed Ride Home program ensures you can leave work at unscheduled times worry-free.

Also available are 24-hour roadside assistance, liability insurance and scheduled maintenance. Vanpoolers may also choose to upgrade their vehicles with such optional high-end features as satellite radio, in-vehicle Wi-Fi service and power ports for individual seats.

Vanpooling is supported by Enterprise Rent-A-Car neighborhood network, which delivers an unmatched level of fleet flexibility and local service.

The US Department of Transportation reports commuter vanpools are one of the safest modes of public transportation compared to bus, rail and demand-response services.