For 30 years, the University of Iowa’s employee van pool program has offered Mike Hoenig more than just a ride to work. It has also enriched his experience by expanding his network and offering opportunities to learn about areas outside his department.
Hoenig, who joined Davenport van pool 1 in 1993, commuted with the van pool for the last time on June 30. He will continue doing some virtual work for the university as he prepares for full retirement.
Enabling opportunities
In 1993, Hoenig accepted a job offer as a project director for the former University Hospital School (now UI Health Care’s Center for Disabilities and Development). Because Hoenig is blind, the employee van pool program has helped him commute to Iowa City while maintaining his home in the Quad Cities.
“Were it not for the EVP program, I would most likely not have enjoyed a 30-plus year career with the University of Iowa,” Hoenig says.
Hoenig has contributed to the university in many ways, including distinctive efforts to enhance the opportunities of individuals with disabilities at the UI. He is also a cohost of the Center for Disabilities and Development’s Disability Exchange Podcast.
A better commute
In addition to being a more affordable and sustainable commuting option, Hoenig’s rideshare experience gave him more than just a reliable commute. Fellow riders agree, reporting an 80% satisfaction rate with their commute compared to a 50% satisfaction rate reported by employees driving alone.
As a rider, Hoenig met colleagues employed in a variety of UI departments and developed relationships with them.
“[I] gained appreciation and respect for the incredible interdisciplinary work performed daily at the university,” Hoenig says.
commute stress where?
Our program has over 70 employee van pools currently on the road.
A member-fueled program
The employee van pool program began in 1978.
It provides and maintains vans that are voluntarily driven by one of the member of each van pool. Employees can form pools of up to seven members. Today, the program has 70 pools that provide transportation to and from cities across eastern Iowa.
By sharing the costs of commuting, van pools are more affordable and offer options for university employees to get to and from work without using a personal vehicle.
This is especially important for riders like Hoenig who cannot drive long distances alone.
“It expands employees’ options for living outside of Iowa City/Coralville,” Hoenig says. “If you are open to ride sharing and are able to be flexible on occasion, do it!”