Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Cars

California County Now Offers Ride Insurance to Car-Free Commuters

5:20 PM EDT on September 14, 2009

Transit and bike commuters in many cities are able to rush home quickly if an emergency strikes -- but for commuters looking to give up their cars in less dense areas, an emergency often means a pricey cab ride. One California county that falls in the latter camp, Santa Cruz, has come up with a unique solution: "ride insurance."

Ecology Action, a local non-profit, has begun offering a program that guarantees taxi transport for non-car-owning commuters who experience a family emergency, a personal crisis, or the premature departure of an office carpool.

The service costs $24 per year and has a cap of four rides annually, or $100. Ecology Action, which also helps local businesses collaborate on shared ride insurance for transit- or bike-riding commuters, sees potential in the new product. From today's San Jose Mercury News:

Coordinatorsexpect the insurance program to resonate with those who fear leavingthe car behind in the event they need to pick up a child unexpectedlyor deal with an unforeseen emergency.

"It's a little more incentive not to drive," Bustos said. ...

"This is a newconcept, absolutely," said Tegan Speiser, a senior transportationplanner for the Regional Transportation Commission, a partner in theRideSurance program.

Speiser said such individual ride insuranceplans could come to play an equally viable role in commuting life asroadside assistance plans, like AAA.

The program is now funded by grant money from the area's air pollution control district, though its goals would make it a good match for green transportation benefits under consideration for inclusion in the Senate climate change bill.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday’s Headlines Are Tired Out

Whether it's from degradation or the dust resulting from wear and tear, it's becoming increasingly clear that tire and brake emissions are harmful, perhaps even exceeding tailpipe emissions.

September 22, 2023

Study: What Road Diets Mean For Older Drivers

"After a road diet, all motorists seem to drive at a rate that feels comfortable to a mildly-impaired older adult."

September 22, 2023

Op-Ed: Why Is Fare Evasion Punished More Severely than Speeding?

A.B. 819 offers California the opportunity to decriminalize fare evasion and replace punitive measures with more equitable approaches.

September 21, 2023

Talking Headways Podcast: Local Culture and Development

We chat with Tim Sprague from Phoenix about supporting local culture through development projects and the importance of sustainable development and transportation.

September 21, 2023

City of Yes Yes Yes! Adams Calls for Elimination of Parking Mandates on ALL New Housing

Mayor Adams today announced the historic end to one of the city’s most antiquated — and despised — zoning laws requiring the construction of parking with every new development.

September 21, 2023
See all posts