One of the biggest disincentives for commuters who might otherwise be tempted to use mass and other alternative transportation – from a bike to a carpool to walking – is, “What if?”
What if there’s an emergency at home or my child gets a tummy ache at school? What if my carpool driver has to work late or gets totally smashed at an office party? What if I have to work later than the bus schedules run?
How will I get home?
Asheville is offering a new program to assure a trip home for those who use alternative transportation and face an emergency. The Emergency Ride Home program is intended to eliminate the worry and potential hassle by reimbursing the cost of a cab-ride home.
“One of the hurdles we face getting drivers out of their vehicles is the fear that if they rode the bus or are in a carpool, they won’t have a way home if an emergency arises,” says the city’s transportation-demand management coordinator, Kathy Molin. “I consider it an ‘insurance policy’ of sorts. Commuters can now have peace of mind riding the bus or joining a carpool, knowing they can get to their families should an emergency arise.”
There are conditions: Participants in the Emergency Ride Home program must be 21 or older, must preregister, and must live or work in Buncombe County or work for an ERH-registered employer and an alternative mode of transportation must be used on the day ride is needed.
Approved alternative modes are: Asheville Transit – with a monthly or yearly bus pass or employer participation in the PASSport program; ridesharing; bicycling; or walking.
For additional information or to register for this program, call 232-4564 or visit www.ashevillenc.gov/transit.htm. More details and coupons that can be used for an emergency trip home will be sent to those who register.
– Cecil Bothwell, staff writer
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