Van pools seek riders: Military, civil servants to commute for free Published March 31, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Buzanowski 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Nearly 100 Fairchild Airmen and civil servants who commute by van pool receive up to $230 each month courtesy of the Spokane Transit Authority and U.S. Air Force Public Transportation Benefit Program. And, the demand for more riders to create more van pools isn't slowing down. Though all Spokane County residents are encouraged to use public transportation and van pools, only military and civil servants qualify for the subsidy. Diane Wulf, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron Pollution Prevention Program manager, is the Employee Transit Coordinator. Not only is it her job to assist Fairchild commuters in finding van pools, she's been a patron of the program for 20 years. "It's not as much the economic impact for me as much as it means not having to drive in the winter," said Ms. Wulf. "We're really lucky that the Spokane Transit Authority has this program and on top of that the Department of Defense and Department of Transportation subsidy." Milea Franklin, 92nd CES Environmental Engineering intern, also uses the van pool program. "Before moving here I lived in Rapid City, S.D., so I didn't think that van pooling was even possible. Spokane is a big city to me so not having to deal with the traffic is awesome." Those who wish to find a van pool to join, or to start one of their own should call Ms. Wulf at 247-2313.