The Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program provides registered participants (commuters who regularly vanpool, carpool, bike, walk or take transit) with a reliable emergency ride home on the day the person has used an alternative mode of transportation to get to work.

See the following eligibility requirements to find out if you can take advantage of this service:

• Participants must be pre-registered; live and/or work in Buncombe County or work for an ERH registered employer.
• Permanent part-time or full-time employees.
• Alternative mode must be used on day ride is needed.
• Must be 21 or older.
• Participants may take an ERH ride up to twice a month but not more than four times in one calendar year.

The following are approved alternative modes of transportation to be eligible for this service:

• Transit - monthly and yearly bus pass holder or employer that participates in the PASSport program.
• Ride-sharing - carpool & vanpool.
• Bicycling.
• Walking.

Only registered participant who are using those alternative modes and who have a true emergency can take advantage of a free ride. The following are considered emergencies:

• They or an immediate family member suffers from an illness or severe crisis.
• They are required to work unscheduled overtime.
• Their ridesharing driver has to stay late or leave early.
  

The program cannot be used for:

• Personal errands.
• Pre-planned medical appointments.
• Business related travel.
• In place of an ambulance.
• Non-emergency side trips on the way home (the only allowed side trip is when picking up a sick child at school).
• Inclement weather or unexpected acts of nature.

To sign up for the program and if you agree with the General Release and Waiver of Liability statement, please contact the TDM Coordinator or sign up online. (You will be directed to a form located on the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization's Web site.) The following information will be needed to register:

• Name
• Home address
• Phone
• Email
• Number of miles you live from worksite
• Employer's name
• Employer's address
• How do you currently travel to work? (Bus with route number, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk)
• If you use a wheelchair or would otherwise require an accessible vehicle
• If you would like assistance in forming or joining a carpool
• How did you learn about ERH?

Once registered, you will receive two coupons (valid for six months) good for one emergency ride home each, instructions for usage and a follow-up questionnaire about the quality of service.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the General Release and Waiver of Liability Statement.

Contact Information:
TDM Coordinator: Kathy Molin
Location: City Hall, First Floor Level
Mailing: P. O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday
Office: (828) 232-4564
Email