How to Choose A Reimbursable Ride Home
There are many different options for getting home when using Alameda Guaranteed Ride Home. Click a [button] below to jump to the type of ride you're interested in.
Which Option Should I Use?
Before using the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, make sure you understand its rules and restrictions.
Public transportation, taxis, rental cars, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), and car share services are eligible for reimbursement through GRH. You are free to choose an option within these choices that suits your needs. This page helps guide your decision.
Using The Program
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
When to use Public Transportation for GRH
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You are traveling to an area accessible by public transportation
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You are in need of a ride during the relevant public transportation system’s service hours
Locate the public transportation service(s) that will get you to your destination. The Commute Choices website lists public transportation services available in Alameda County. The grey sidebar below lists a few public transportation services in Alameda County. You are free to use any public transportation service you are familiar with and are free to use as many public transportation services as are necessary to get you to your final destination.
Pay for your public transportation ride(s) as you would normally and retain the receipt(s) or ticket(s). You will need to submit a copy of your receipt to be reimbursed for your expenses. If you are paying for your ride(s) with a Clipper card, you can retrieve your receipt online at the Clipper card website (you must register your Clipper card first). If you are paying for your fare with cash, you must ask for a receipt or transfer from the transit vehicle driver or collect a receipt from the ticket vending machine.
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Public Transportation Options Include:
Using The Program
TAXI
When to use a Taxi
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You need to get to an area not easily accessible by public transportation
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You have to arrive at your destination as quickly as possible
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Your trip is less than 20 miles (recommended)
Call the taxi company of your choice. Grey sidebar below lists a few suggested taxi companies. You are free to use any taxi company you are familiar with, but if you are using a voucher left over from 2013, you must use one of the companies listed below. To ensure the quickest response time possible, call to arrange your ride as soon as you know you will need one.
Pay for your taxi ride as you would normally and retain the receipt. You will need to submit a copy of your receipt to be reimbursed for your expenses. You are responsible for tipping the driver (a 10-15% tip is customary).
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Taxi Options Include:
Workplace Location
Taxi Provider
Dublin, Livermore, or Pleasanton
Albany, Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont, Emeryville, Alameda, San Leandro, or unincorporated Alameda County
Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward, or Castro Valley
All wheelchair accessible rides
Important:
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You are responsible for tipping your taxi driver. A 10-15% tip is customary.
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It may soon be possible to hail taxi cabs in Alameda County through smartphone applications. Several San Francisco taxi services such as Flywheel and Yellow Cab have already begun to provide this service. Please check back in to this website for updates on similar services in Alameda County.
Using The Program
Transportation Network Company (TNC) Lyft/Uber/Etc.
When to use a
TNC Service
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You have access to a smartphone and a credit card
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You need to get to an area not easily accessible by public transportation
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You have to arrive at your destination as quickly as possible
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Your trip is less than 20 miles (recommended)
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Taxi service is unavailable, difficult to reach by phone, or will take too long to arrive
Connect to the TNC service of your choice. A few TNC services are listed below. You are free to use any TNC service you are familiar with, but you must have a smartphone handy, the relevant application downloaded onto your phone, and your credit card information updated on the application before you are able to utilize the service.
Pay for your TNC ride as you would normally and retain the receipt. You will need to submit a copy of your receipt to be reimbursed for your expenses. You are responsible for tipping the driver (tips very by TNC service).
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TNC Options Include:
Using The Program
Car Share Vehicles
When to use Car Share
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You feel comfortable and are capable of driving
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You are 21 years of age or older and have a valid U.S. driver's license
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You already have a car share membership
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You will be able to return the vehicle within 24 hours
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Your trip is more than 20 miles (recommended)
Reserve a car share vehicle. Reserve a car as soon as you know you will need a ride to make sure there is a car share vehicle still available close to your place of work. You must first be a member of whichever car share service you choose to use. GRH cannot reimburse for peer-to-peer car share services (such as Getaround or Relay Rides) at this time.
Return the vehicle within 24 hours. You must return the vehicle within 24 hours of picking it up. If you do not return the vehicle within 24 hours, you will be charged for any additional costs incurred.
Pay for the car share vehicle as you would normally, but make sure to retain a copy of your receipt. You will need to submit a copy of your receipt to be reimbursed.
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Car Share Options Include:
Important:
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You must already be a member of a car share service before using car sharing as an option for Guaranteed Ride Home. If you do not already have a car share membership, you will be unable to reserve a car share vehicle. Applying for a membership can be a lengthy process, as it often requires the car share company to send you an electronic card through the mail.
Using The Program
Rental Car
When to use a
Rental Car
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You feel comfortable and are capable of driving
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You are 21 years of age or older and have a valid U.S. driver's license
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You already have a car share membership
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You will be able to return the vehicle within 24 hours
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Your trip is more than 20 miles (recommended)
Call the rental car company of your choice. Call as soon as you know you will need a ride to arrange for a drop-off time. You are free to use any rental car company you are familiar with but if you use Enterprise, an agent may be available to pick you up at your workplace, take you to the nearest Enterprise location, and provide you a rental car.
Return the car the next morning. Only one-day rentals are covered, including on Fridays. The Guaranteed Ride Home Program is not responsible for additional charges.
Pay for the rental car as you would normally, but make sure to retain a copy of your receipt. You will need to submit a copy of your receipt to be reimbursed for your expenses.
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Car Rental Options Include:
Important:
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You must provide a valid U.S. driver’s license showing that you are 21 years of age or older and sign a rental agreement. Rental fees, tax, tolls, and basic insurance are reimbursable expenses.
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You are required to pay for the gas you use and to return the vehicle with the tank filled to the same level as when the vehicle was issued.
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Upgrades are not allowed. For Friday trips, the vehicle must be returned on Saturday morning and may not be kept for the weekend. Charges beyond one day will be your responsibility
(510) 791-6443
(510) 272-9626
(510) 877-7072
(510) 893-7000
(510) 594-0972
(510) 769-9090
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