The Commute Solutions program is excited to now offer a regional Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program to provide sustainable commuters a free or reduced-cost emergency ride home from work.
In order to qualify, the commuter will need to log carpool, vanpool, public transit, bicycle or walking commutes into the myCommuteSolutions.com and having a qualifying emergency event. Commute Solutions will reimburse “emergency rides home” for qualifying users up to a maximum of $75 per ride.
How It Works
If a myCommuteSolutions user is unable to travel home (or to an emergency situation location) using the mode of travel they used to get to work, they may be eligible to receive a reimbursement of up to $75 to pay for the travel expenses. Learn how to request reimbursement:
- Review the eligibility requirements below to make sure you qualify for the program.
- Complete the Reimbursement Request Form
- Send a copy of your travel expense receipt to CommuteSolutions@capcog.org. Email must include your name and receipt with the total cost of the emergency travel, date and time of the purchase.
Eligibility Requirements
- Commuters must have a myCommuteSolutions account (or a Smart Commute Reward account for City of Austin employees*)
- Log trips on myCommuteSolutions* - You must log a qualifying mode at least once on the myCommuteSolutions site in the 7 days prior to an emergency circumstance (i.e., if you have an emergency on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, you would qualify for an emergency ride home if you logged at least one qualifying round-trip commute from Tuesday, July 10 – Monday, July 16).
- Use a qualifying travel mode including:
- Carpool
- Vanpool
- Walk
- Bicycle
- Bus
- Rail
- Live or Work in the Program Service Area - Origin or destination of the qualifying commuting trips must be located within the Commute Solutions Emergency Ride Home Program Service Area, which includes Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis, and Williamson counties.
- Have a qualifying emergency circumstance:
- Personal or family emergency (e.g., break-in at home, home maintenance emergency, child suspended from school)
- Personal or family illness
- Unscheduled overtime
- Typical commuting mode becomes unexpectedly unavailable (e.g., vanpool vehicle breaks down)
- Non-qualifying circumstances may include:
- Pre-arranged appointments, such as visits to the doctor or dentist
- Work-related travel, such as rides to the airport or business meetings across town
- Rides to work
- Transit delays
- Overtime that occurs regularly or scheduled in advance
- Transportation to a hospital or doctor’s office following an on-the-job injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Commuters can select any transportation mode including Ride Hail or Taxi, Ride Share (Uber, Lyft, Ride Austin, etc.), Rental Vehicle (Car, Bike, Scooter), Transit, Car Share (Car2go, Zipcar), and a Company Fleet vehicle.
All reimbursement requests must be accompanied with some form of verification. The type of verification required will depend on the circumstances of your emergency event. Examples of verification include:
- Personal or family emergency (e.g., break-in at home, home maintenance emergency)
- Supervisor Contact that can verify that you left work early
- Documentation of a family/home emergency
- Personal or family illness
- Supervisor Contact that can verify that you left work early
- Documentation from school showing child was sent home
- Unscheduled overtime
- Supervisor Contact that can verify that you stayed in the office late
- Typical commuting mode becomes unexpectedly unavailable (e.g., vanpool vehicle breaks down)
- Contact info from carpool/vanpool partners
- Photos of vehicle breakdown (bike only)
No, Commute Solutions cannot provide a reimbursement for any tip provided.
Yes, you are eligible for a reimbursement up to $75 if you have met all reimbursement requirements.
Rides to work are not eligible for trip reimbursement.
Yes, however, the Commute Solutions Emergency Ride Home Program will only cover the reimbursement cost that is ineligible for reimbursement under Capital Metro's program. Commute Solutions Program staff will verify with Capital Metro if a user is enrolled and if they are or are not eligible for reimbursement under the program.
Yes, stops related to an emergency trip are eligible for reimbursement up to $75.
Yes, you are eligible for the program if you are registered on myCommuteSolutions and logged a qualifying trip within the 7 days prior to your emergency event.
Qualifying trips include: Carpool, Vanpool, Transit (Bus and Rail), Bike, and Walk.
Unfortunately, requests without a receipt are ineligible to receive reimbursement.
Fine Print
Users may be reimbursed no more than 7 times per calendar year. Any rental car charges incurred after 24 hours will not be reimbursed. Reimbursement requests without a receipt cannot be honored – make sure you get a receipt from your transportation provider. Requests do not guarantee payment. Any inappropriate use of this program will be at the employee’s expense and jeopardize future eligibility for the program. Reimbursements are only offered while funds are available. The program may be changed at any time without notice. The Commute Solutions Emergency Ride Home Program is administered by the Capital Area Council of Governments. Personal information shared us will not be shared, sold, or distributed with third party organizations. This program is possible thanks to contributions from the City of Austin.