What are the Benefits of an Emergency Ride Home Program?

An Emergency Ride Home program is one of the most important elements of a successful Commute Smart program. Most employees fear using commute option because they think they will be stuck at work if an emergency arises or they have to work overtime. A guaranteed ride home program ensures employees will be able to get home. It takes the fear and anxiety out of using alternative modes and provides increased commuting choices for employees.

Benefits of an Emergency Ride Home Program:

• Encourages increased employee participation in carpooling, STA Ridsharing (formerly vanpool), bicycling, walking and riding the bus at relatively low cost to employer
• Provides high sense of security for employees by eliminating primary employee barrier to using commuting options
• Enhances and supports overall worksite CTR program
• Provides an incentive for those who already rideshare, take the bus, bike or walk to keep doing it!

Additional Benefits to Spokane's Emergency Ride Home Program. The program is:

• Easy to Use - ERH coordinator approves and schedules trip, allowing employee quick access to an emergency ride.
• Cost-Effective - Employer makes a small annual deposit to participate in program and employee enjoys free emergency ride
• Flexible - Employer exercises discretion in deciding how to use ERH program at worksite, based on unique circumstances. Employee can access emergency ride 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Easy to Administer - Employer is provided with the ERH Program Employer Guide, which fully describes program. A minimal amount of administration time is needed to fully implement and run Spokane's ERH Program at the worksite.
• Easy to Promote - Pre-printed marketing materials are provided to all participating employers, including sample emails, a flyer and posters to promote the ERH program to employees.
• For more information on getting an Emergency Ride Home program started, please contact Kim Stolz at kstolz@spokanecounty.org