Cashing in On Your Ridematching Rewards: How to Use Your Guaranteed Ride Home

Posted On: July 15, 2024

Commuting can be unpredictable. When you rely on carpooling, vanpooling, or even public transportation, a sudden need to leave early can disrupt your plans. TRAFFIX, the commuter solutions program in Hampton Roads, offers a guaranteed ride home reward for active app users. If you’re a commuter in Hampton Roads, here’s how you can use your Guaranteed Ride reward!

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What is a Guaranteed Ride Home?

A Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program is a safety net for carpoolers, vanpoolers, and public transportation users. It provides a ride home – or to your point of origin, such as a park and ride – in case of unexpected circumstances that prevent you from using your pre-arranged ride. Here are some benefits of using a Guaranteed Ride Home program:

• Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a backup plan fosters focus and reduces stress.
• Reduced Stress: No more scrambling to find a last-minute ride!
• Increased Ridematching Participation: GRH programs incentivize participation, reducing traffic congestion and emissions.

Who Qualifies for a Guaranteed Ride Home?

In order to qualify for the Guaranteed Ride program, you must:

• Be an active user of the ConnectingVA app. Not only do you need to have downloaded and registered with the ConnectingVA app, but you need to be an active user of the app. For TRAFFIX participants, that means you’ll need to have logged at least five carpool, vanpool or transit trips within the 30 days before requesting your ride. The more trips you log, the easier it’ll be to request your ride!

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• Work within Hampton Roads. Qualifying requests must come from app users who work in one of the jurisdictions TRAFFIX serves. This includes the 7 core cities of Hampton Roads and the extended areas of Isle of Wight County, Williamsburg, James City County, Franklin, Southampton County, York County, and even Poquoson.
• Request your ride during the correct hours. While your ride can take place as late as 10pm, you’ll need to make the request between 8am – 4pm. Of course, there are certain days where the reward isn’t available, including most federal holidays. Regardless, the Guaranteed Ride Home reward is one of the best benefits to carpooling there is!

When Can Guaranteed Ride be Used?

Guaranteed Ride can be used in a variety of situations. Here are some of the most common:

• Family Emergencies: A sudden illness or family situation requiring immediate attention.
• Childcare Needs: The need to pick up a sick child or address an unexpected childcare situation.
• Unscheduled Overtime: If you are unexpectedly required to work overtime and your regular ride home is no longer available.
• Illness at Work: If you become ill at work and are unable to drive yourself home.
• Eldercare Needs: A situation arises where an elder parent or dependent requires your immediate assistance.

These also count if your typical carpool or vanpool driver has an emergency and needs to leave. This way, you aren’t stranded at work!

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How to Book a Guaranteed Ride Home

Booking a guaranteed ride doesn’t have to be scary. Here are the easy steps to cashing in on your commuter reward:

1. Open Your App. Your ConnectingVA app, or the TRAFFIX website, are the only two avenues to submitting your request.
2. Click the Rewards tab. The Guaranteed Ride is a reward offered to app users at no charge.
3. Select the Guaranteed Ride from the Featured Rewards section. Review all the information and redeem the reward.
4. Complete the Ride Request via email. After redeeming the reward, you will then need to fill out the official ride request form emailed to you. Include details like your current location, your destination, time, and even your employer.
5. Answer the call from the program dispatcher. Confirm all the details provided in the ride request. If your ride is approved, the program dispatcher will provide you with information on how you’ll get connected to your ride.
6. Wait for your ride to arrive. You’ll receive text messages or phone calls from the ride provider, which varies by ride.
7. Enjoy your Guaranteed Ride Home reward! Your guaranteed ride home reward is available at no cost to you. You can sit back, relax and know that you’re getting home safely, all thanks to your active participation with the TRAFFIX program!

Even though daily commutes can give anyone a headache, using the TRAFFIX program can provide you with amazing rewards, such as Guaranteed Ride. Download the app now to get started!