Using the Program

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    When to use PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

• You are traveling to an area accessible by public transportation
• You are in need of a ride during the relevant public transportation system’s service hours

Steps:

1. 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 table 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.
2. 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. If you cannot submit the reimbursement request online, print and fill out a paper reimbursement request form and return it with a copy of your receipt to: Alameda County Guaranteed Ride Home Program c/o Nelson\Nygaard, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94105, or by fax to 415-284-1554. You must submit a copy of your receipt and the completed reimbursement request form in order to receive your reimbursement.

  Public transportation options:    

  When to use a TAXI:  

• You need to get to an area not easily accessible by public transportation
• You have to arrive at your destination as quickly as possible
• Your trip is less than 20 miles (recommended)

  Steps:

1. Call the taxi company of your choice. The table 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.
2. 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). If you cannot submit the reimbursement request online, print and fill out a paper reimbursement request form and return it with a copy of your receipt to: Alameda County Guaranteed Ride Home Program c/o Nelson\Nygaard, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94105, or by fax to 415-284-1554. You must submit a copy of your receipt and the completed reimbursement request form in order to receive your reimbursement.

  Taxi options: The table below lists a few suggested taxi companies to choose from (this is not a comprehensive list and may be out of date).     IMPORTANT NOTES:   

• You are responsible for tipping your taxi driver. A 10-15% tip is customary.
• 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 the GRH website for updates on similar services in Alameda County.

        When to use a TNC SERVICE:

• You have access to a smartphone and a credit card
• You need to get to an area not easily accessible by public transportation
• You have to arrive at your destination as quickly as possible
• Your trip is less than 20 miles (recommended)
• Taxi service is unavailable, difficult to reach by phone, or will take too long to arrive

Steps:

1. Connect to the TNC service of your choice. The table below lists a few TNC services. 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.
2. 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 vary by TNC service). If you cannot submit the reimbursement request online, print and fill out a paper reimbursement request form and return it with a copy of your receipt to: Alameda County Guaranteed Ride Home Program c/o Nelson\Nygaard, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94105, or by fax to 415-284-1554. You must submit a copy of your receipt and the completed reimbursement request form in order to receive your reimbursement.

  TNC options: The table below lists a couple of suggested transportation network companies to choose from (this may not be a comprehensive list and may be out of date).    

 

When to use a CAR SHARE VEHICLE:

• You feel comfortable and are capable of driving
• You are 21 years of age or older and have a valid U.S. driver's license
• You already have a car share membership
• You will be able to return the vehicle within 24 hours
• Your trip is more than 20 miles (recommended)

Steps:

1. 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.
2. 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. The Guaranteed Ride Home Program is not responsible for any such charges.
3. Pay for the car share vehicle as you would normally, but make sure to retain a copy of your receipt. You will need a copy of your receipt to request reimbursement. If you cannot submit the reimbursement request online, print and fill out a paper reimbursement request form and return it with a copy of your receipt to: Alameda County Guaranteed Ride Home Program c/o Nelson\Nygaard, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94105, or by fax to 415-284-1554. You must submit a copy of your receipt and the completed reimbursement request form in order to receive your reimbursement.

    Car share vehicle options: The table below lists a few suggested car share companies to choose from (this is not a comprehensive list and may be out of date).       IMPORTANT NOTES: 

• 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.

 

 

When to use a RENTAL CAR:

• You feel comfortable and are capable of driving
• You are 21 years of age or older and have a valid U.S. driver's license
• You are requesting a ride during rental car company business hours (for Enterprise, this is Monday-Friday 7:30 am-6:00 pm; Saturday 9 am-12 noon)
• You will be able to meet the vehicle return requirements (for Enterprise, by 9:30 am the next morning, including Saturday)
• Your trip is more than 20 miles (recommended)

Steps:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Pay for the rental car as you would normally, but make sure to retain a copy of your receipt. You will need a copy of your receipt to request reimbursement. If you cannot submit the reimbursement request online, print and fill out a paper reimbursement request form and return it with a copy of your receipt to: Alameda County Guaranteed Ride Home Program c/o Nelson\Nygaard, 116 New Montgomery St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94105, or by fax to 415-284-1554. You must submit a copy of your receipt and the completed reimbursement request form in order to receive your reimbursement.

Rental car options: The table below lists a few suggested rental car companies to choose from (this is not a comprehensive list and may be out of date).   IMPORTANT NOTES: 

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.