TDM Toolbox

Subsector: Trip Reduction Programs
Guaranteed Ride Home Program
VMT Reduction Potential: 3
Cost: 2
ROI: 3
CVAG Relevancy: 2
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban
Trip Type: Commute
Scale: Regional
Timing: Short Term (1-3 years)
Implementors-Private: Educational Institutions, Employers, Property Managers, Transportation Management Associations (TMAs)/Transportation Management Organizations (TMOs)
Implementors-Public: Municipalities, Regional Agencies, Transit Agencies

Description

Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) programs offer complimentary rides to commuters who use alternative modes of transportation and need a ride home due to emergencies or other unforeseen circumstances. GRH is offered to employees who rideshare, take transit, bike, or walk and is promoted through employer engagement programs, SunLine campaigns, regional events hosted by agencies such as CVAG and the Air District.

Implementation Details

  • Partner with IE Commuter to expand Guaranteed Ride Home eligibility for workers at Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Desert Regional Medical Center, and school districts.
  • Integrate Guaranteed Ride Home information into SunLine Commuter Club enrollment with promotional outreach at SunLine transfer centers.
  • Provide short-term Guaranteed Ride Home coverage for employees during festivals especially those commuting from outlying areas.
  • Offer targeted Guaranteed Ride Home expansion for retail and hospitality workers during extended holiday hours.
  • Monitor usage and satisfaction through biannual surveys and anonymized trip logs.

Mitigation Potential

Guaranteed Ride Home offer commuters confidence in non-Single Occupancy Vehicle modes of transportation by always having an easy and quick option to get home in the case of emergencies. This assurance of being able to get home when needed encourages non-Single Occupancy Vehicle trips, reducing VMT.

For more details, see Victoria Transport Policy Institute – Guaranteed Ride Home for VMT reduction quantification.

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

Ensure programs are available to part-time, shift, and low-wage workers who may not have predictable schedules or access to employer-sponsored benefits. Partner with SunLine and large employers in the agricultural, hospitality, and healthcare sectors to expand eligibility in Disadvantaged Communities (DACs). Address barriers like smartphone access or English-only platforms.

Funding Sources

Requires coordination with transportation network companies (TNC) such as Uber and Lyft or rental companies to pay for rides utilized. Requires initial funding plus continued funding for operations. The IE Commuter – Guaranteed Ride Home Program from the Riverside County Transportation Commission Provides reimbursement for emergency rides (Uber/Lyft, taxi, or transit) for registered rideshare participants.  Another funding source is the Community Rides Grant Program from the National Rural Transit Assistance Program.

Examples/Case Studies

OCTA Guaranteed Ride Home

OCTA offers up to four free emergency rides per year for registered vanpool and transit users, covering rides via taxi, Uber, or Lyft.

San Francisco TDM Requirements

San Francisco mandates GRH as a standard benefit for employers implementing TDM strategies, supporting flexibility for part-time and non-traditional workers.