A measure to continue the van-pool program has been included in a bill that was in a House-Senate conference committee Thursday.

The proposal would make the van-pool program self-supporting, and it could only be discontinued by the Legislature.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ Department of Administration had proposed eliminating the state-run commuter program — a fleet of 20 large vans that bring employees back and forth to Topeka from Lawrence, the Kansas City area and other locations.

Van-pool riders have said the program helps the environment and is good for employee morale. They also said they would be willing to pay higher fees to make the program self-sufficient.