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, Marin Transit campaigns, regional events hosted by agencies and the Air District.
Implementation Details
- Integrate Emergency Ride Homes promotions into Marin Transit with promotional outreach at transfer centers.
- 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 Marin Transit and large employers in 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. Marin Commutes Emergency Ride Home 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.
Implemented in TAM Area
Current TDM Implementation
TAM manages the Emergency Ride Home program for Marin County, which reimburses emergency rides home via taxi, Uber, Lyft, or equivalent transportation service for commuters taking public transit, vanpool, carpool, bicycling, or walking. The program allows for up to four emergency ride home trips per year for a maximum of $500.
TDM Benefit Locations
While TAM’s Emergency Ride Home Program supports the entire county, additional funding could provide even more benefits for commuters. Raising more awareness of the existing program could remove a common barrier for people interested in using public transit, active transportation, or other alternative modes.