The Anchorage Assembly approved AM 824‑2025 on Nov. 4 to increase the municipal vanpool subsidy from $350 to $450 per month, intended to reduce rider cost and encourage participation. Public Transit Director Bart Rudolph told the Assembly the program serves roughly 670 participants in about 100 vehicles and that comparable programs nationally subsidize at roughly $500 per month.

Rudolph said the subsidy is funded with AMATS CMAQ grant money; he said the state pays the match so the change would not require a local match. Members asked about data supporting increased participation; Rudolph said surveys of departing participants cited cost as the primary reason people left the program.

The Assembly approved the amendment on a recorded vote and directed staff to track participation metrics.