VRide

What begins as a practical solution to a national problem often evolves into a significant business. In 1977, as a response to fuel conservation needs, the Chrysler Employee Vanpool Program was started by Jeff Henning. This initiative laid the groundwork for what would become VRide, a company dedicated to providing vanpooling services for commuters. The business focused on a simple premise: allowing people who work together to share their ride to the office in a comfortable van, reducing stress, saving money, and lowering vehicle emissions. For decades, the company, also known as VPSI, grew its position in the commuter transportation sector. It offered carpooling, car-sharing, and its core vanpooling services, creating a comprehensive suite of mobility solutions for American businesses and their employees. The model attracted attention, and by the 2010s, VRide had secured investments from firms like TPG Growth and had a notable figure from the ridesharing world, Uber founding team member Oscar Salazar, as its CTO. The company's journey culminated in a significant event in June 2016. Enterprise Holdings, the world's largest car rental company, announced it was acquiring VRide. The acquisition was a strategic move for Enterprise, which was looking to expand its footprint in the growing urban mobility and sustainable commuter market. By integrating VRide's nearly 40 years of vanpooling experience, Enterprise aimed to enhance its own Rideshare and Zimride offerings, creating a more robust portfolio of transportation solutions. Although financial terms were not disclosed, the merger marked the end of one chapter for VRide and the beginning of its integration into a global transportation powerhouse.