How do I qualify and register for the RideShare Program?
Answer: Participants qualify for the Rideshare Program if they carpool, take public transportation, walk, or bike to work five times in the same calendar month. Participants who are interested in the RideShare Program must first register with the County of Riverside Human Resources Commuter Services Division in order to be eligible for program incentives. To register, simply complete a Commute Mode Registration Form and submit it via scan/email ([email protected]). Participants will receive an email confirmation once registered, and a post-registration packet containing important RideShare Program incentive information will be courier mailed to them.
I don't think I qualify because I only live a mile from work.
Answer: The County of Riverside strongly encourages employees to ride their bikes or walk to work. At some worksite’s, cyclists and walkers can take advantage of bike racks, personal lockers, and showers! Simply walking or riding your bike to and from work one day a week saves gas, benefits the environment, and provides exercise.
What kind of incentives do you provide to registered participants?
Answer: Qualifying active and registered RideShare Program participants are eligible for many incentives! Incentives include the initial opportunity to earn up to $125 in gift cards for first-time registrants, monthly opportunity drawings, preferred parking, and participation in the Guaranteed Ride Home Program! Participants who are eligible and interested in the RideShare Program incentives must first register with the County of Riverside Human Resources Commuter Services Division. To register, simply complete a Commute Mode Registration Form and submit it via scan/email ([email protected]).
How frequently must I RideShare in order to qualify for program incentives?
Answer: To be eligible for the RideShare Program, the Human Resources Commuter Services Division requires active and registered participants to RideShare five workdays per month. However, the more you RideShare, the more money you save!
What is this $5/Day incentive I keep hearing about?
Answer: For a limited time, newly registered participants have an opportunity to earn up to $125 in gift cards. To qualify, first-time RideShare Program participants must RideShare five days per month for three consecutive months and continuously log their commuter trips on the IE Commuter website. Other restrictions may apply. Trip log entries are audited for accuracy against County employee approved timecard data.
Do I qualify for program incentives if I do not live in Riverside County?
Answer: Yes, active and registered participants are eligible for RideShare Program incentives. Please keep in mind that you first must register with the County of Riverside Human Resources Commuter Services Division to receive program incentives. To register, complete a Commute Mode Registration Form and submit it via scan/email ([email protected]).
I had previously registered with Commuter Services. Why did my incentives come to an end?
Answer: All active and registered RideShare Program participants must renew their RideShare participation every year. If the Human Resources Commuter Services Division does not receive a completed renewal form, we assume the participant is no longer interested in the program and the participant is deactivated. Renewal notices are emailed to all active and registered calendar year participants in December. Renewal request forms must be completed and returned on or before the specified deadline Renewal is required to remain active and receive program incentives; therefore, if you do not receive a renewal notification and/or form in December, please contact us as soon as possible!
What if I need to leave work due to an emergency and don't have my vehicle with me? Or, if I drove, how will my carpool partner(s) get home?
Qualifying guaranteed ride home from work occurrence: Active and registered participants have a personal emergency or are unexpectedly requested to work overtime past their regularly scheduled shift, the County of Riverside Human Resources Commuter Services Division will provide the active and registered participants with a guaranteed ride home. A personal emergency includes the participant going home sick or needing to tend to a sick family member, an emergency arising at home, or if the participant’s carpool partner must leave during the day, leaving the participant at work. Please make note that the GRH Program cannot be used for transit service disruptions and/or delays, weather-related events, a ride to work, personal errands, previously scheduled personal appointments, attending to County business or trainings. These events DO NOT constitute an emergency to obtain a Guaranteed Ride Home.
NOTE: A guaranteed ride must originate from the registered and active participants work location and may only be used to get home or to the location of their parked vehicle (e.g., a Park & Ride lot or a carpool partner’s home). Active and registered participants are required to refer to their Guaranteed Ride Home Voucher for instructions. It is the active and registered participants responsibility to contact the nearest contracted taxi company directly to obtain a Guaranteed Ride Home.
I left early last week to pick up my sick dependent, and now I am sick. Is it possible for me to use another GRH today?
Answer: Per Board Policy, the Human Resources Commuter Services Division offers the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) Program up to six (6) times per calendar year, typically not to exceed one use within a 30-day period to active and registered RideShare participants.
Qualifying guaranteed ride home from work occurrence: You have a personal emergency, or you are unexpectedly requested to work overtime past your regularly scheduled shift, the County of Riverside Human Resources Commuter Services Division provides active and registered participants with a guaranteed ride home. A personal emergency includes the participant going home sick or needing to tend to a sick family member, an emergency arising at home, or if the participant’s carpool partner must leave during the day, leaving the participant at work. Please make note that the GRH Program cannot be used for transit service disruptions and/or delays, weather-related events, a ride to work, personal errands, previously scheduled personal appointments, attending to County business or trainings. These events DO NOT constitute an emergency to obtain a Guaranteed Ride Home.
NOTE: A guaranteed ride must originate from the registered and active participants work location and may only be used to get home or to the location of their parked vehicle (e.g., a Park & Ride lot or a carpool partner’s home). Active and registered participants are required to refer to their Guaranteed Ride Home Voucher for instructions. It is the active and registered participants responsibility to contact the nearest contracted taxi company directly to obtain a Guaranteed Ride Home.
I was just told I needed to work overtime, but I carpooled today. Does my request for a GRH count as one of the six I am eligible for?
Answer: Yes, per Board Policy, the Human Resources Commuter Services Division offers the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) Program to registered RideShare employees in the event of a personal emergency or unexpected overtime. A registered participant may use the Guaranteed Ride Home Program up to six times per year, typically not to exceed one use within a 30-day period. This means you are eligible to use a GRH today and have five GRH's remaining for the calendar year.
Qualifying guaranteed ride home from work occurrence: You have a personal emergency, or you are unexpectedly requested to work overtime past your regularly scheduled shift, the County of Riverside Human Resources Commuter Services Division provides active and registered participants with a guaranteed ride home. A personal emergency includes the participant going home sick or needing to tend to a sick family member, an emergency arising at home, or if the participant’s carpool partner must leave during the day, leaving the participant at work. Please make note that the GRH Program cannot be used for transit service disruptions and/or delays, weather-related events, a ride to work, personal errands, previously scheduled personal appointments, attending to County business or trainings. These events DO NOT constitute an emergency to obtain a Guaranteed Ride Home.
NOTE: A guaranteed ride must originate from the registered and active participants work location and may only be used to get home or to the location of their parked vehicle (e.g., a Park & Ride lot or a carpool partner’s home). Active and registered participants are required to refer to their Guaranteed Ride Home Voucher for instructions. It is the active and registered participants responsibility to contact the nearest contracted taxi company directly to obtain a Guaranteed Ride Home.
What is considered a carpool group for program eligibility?
Answer: A carpool group is defined as two or more working adults who commute to work in the same vehicle to save money and reduce pollution.
I would like to RideShare, but I don't have anyone to carpool with. What shall I do?
Answer: The Human Resources Commuter Services Division can assist in locating other participants living and working in your surrounding area! Employees may complete a RideMatch Request Form and submit it to our office via scan/email ([email protected]). A generated RideMatch list of interested RideShare participants that live and work in their surrounding area will be provided to the requesting employee. The generated RideMatch list will also assist in locating an established County Vehicle (CV) group commuting to their work location! It is the employee's responsibility to contact the RideShare participants with whom they have been matched directly if they wish to participate in a RideShare arrangement. It is entirely voluntary to participate in a RideShare agreement.
For years, I have been carpooling with a coworker, but we never registered with Commuter Services. How do we go about signing up?
Answer: It is easy to register in the RideShare Program! All you and your carpool partner(s) must do is to complete a Commute Mode Registration Form and submit it via scan/email ([email protected]). Participants will receive an email confirmation once they have registered, and a post-registration packet containing important RideShare Program incentive information will be courier mailed to them.
My neighbor and I carpool, but they don't work for the County of Riverside. Do I meet the carpool requirements?
Answer: Yes, you may register as a carpool participant with a non-County employee and receive RideShare Program incentives if you and your carpool partner RideShare five times in the same calendar month. Simply complete a Commute Mode Registration Form, select the option titled Carpool with Non-County Employee, and provide your carpool partner's name and their employer information. Then submit your completed Commute Mode Registration Form and via scan/email ([email protected]). You will receive an email confirmation once registered, and a post-registration packet containing important RideShare Program incentive information will be courier mailed to you.
I carpool with my dependents. Does this mean I am eligible for the program?
Answer: No, only carpooling with your dependents during the annual Transportation Survey counts. However, all working adults, whether County employees or not, are eligible carpool partners for the RideShare Program.
My carpool partner and I carpool every day. Can we obtain a parking permit to park in the reserved carpool parking spaces at our worksite?
Answer: Yes, if reserved spaces are available at a worksite, the Human Resources Commuter Services Division will issue a carpool parking permit to active and registered groups. The carpool parking permit entitles registered groups to park in County-reserved carpool parking spaces. Please keep in mind that participating groups must renew their participation each program year in order to obtain an updated parking permit for the following year.
My carpool partner and I take turns driving. Can we each get a parking permit for our carpool group?
Answer: No, for a carpool group of two registered participants, only one parking permit is issued. A carpool group of four or more participants, however, will be limited to two parking permits.
What if we forget to bring our assigned carpool parking permit into our commuter vehicle?
Answer: Do not park in a designated carpool parking space if your registered group does not have the assigned carpool parking permit. Only registered vehicles clearly displaying the current year's carpool parking permit may park in the reserved carpool parking spaces. Vehicles parked in the reserved carpool parking spaces without properly displaying a reserved parking permit will be subject to a parking citation. The citations are official, and vehicle owners will be responsible to pay for the violation.
What is a County Vehicle (CV) Program?
Answer: The County Vehicle (CV) Program allows four or more County of Riverside employees that RideShare to a County facility to utilize a County Vehicle (CV) for their commute to and from work in a County-owned vehicle. Program participants pay a biweekly fee based on daily round-trip mileage per person per vehicle via payroll deductions. Fees per person include a guaranteed seat, routine service repair and maintenance, fuel, and a loaner/rental vehicle while the County Vehicle (CV) is being serviced. Additionally, the program offers a Guaranteed Ride Home option, if needed.
I would like to see if there is a County Vehicle (CV) group that matches my work schedule. How do I go about doing this?
Answer: Several registered County Vehicle (CV) groups with varying routes and schedules are part of the County Vehicle (CV) Program. The Human Resources Commuter Services Division will check to see if there is an established County Vehicle (CV) group that fits your schedule if you complete and submit a RideMatch Request Form. Complete and submit the form to our office via scan/email ([email protected]).
Can I take a test ride in an established County Vehicle (CV) group?
Answer: Absolutely! The Human Resources Commuter Services Division offers three free riding days through our County Vehicle (CV) Program. The free ride days are coordinated with the specific County Vehicle (CV) Captain and are provided so that you can determine whether the County Vehicle (CV) Program is a good fit for your commute. We will gladly send you registration information if you decide to move forward and register with an existing County Vehicle (CV) group.
Is it necessary to sign a Group Agreement and Schedule for the County Vehicle (CV) Program?
Answer: Yes, the Group Agreement and Schedule outline group information (for example, group participants, where the vehicle will be housed overnight, Captain and Co-Captain information, and so on) as well as important pick-up times and location details that the group agrees to follow. If an issue arises within a group due to location late arrivals or other issues, the Human Resources Commuter Services Division enforces the agreed upon times and pick up/drop off locations using the Group Agreement and Schedule.
Is the County Vehicle (CV) Program the same as a Vanpool Program?
Answer: No, due to the large number of County-wide worksites and varying report to work hours, the County of Riverside only offers the County Vehicle (CV) Program rather than a specific "vanpool program" as outlined in IRS Publication 15B. The Human Resources Commuter Services Division's County Vehicle (CV) Fleet consists of smaller vehicles that do not meet the "vanpool" requirements.
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Contact Us
HR - Commuter Services Division
4080 Lemon Street, Mail Stop 1008
Riverside, CA 92501 (CAC)
Main Line: 951-955-1118
Fax Line: 951-955-1181
Urgent After-Hour Calls: 951-255-8003
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Closed all County and Federal Holidays.