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Commuters without a car can get free Uber rides

Posted at 6:37 AM, Oct 02, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-02 10:47:48-04

San Diego commuters who take alternative transportation or walk to work can now get free Uber rides home in an emergency.

The San Diego Association of Governments is expanding its iCommute Gharanteed Ride Home program to offer anyone with a job in the county three free Uber rides per year in case of an emergency, unscheduled overtime, or they're stranded at work. 

Clifford Groleau commutes from Chula Vista to his job managing San Diego Bike Shop downtown mostly via public transportation, but also sometimes bikes. That doesn't serve him well when he needs to get home fast, and is why he says the free Uber rides could help.

"So if I was to get a flat (bike tire), or the bike was breaking down or something like that and I need to be picked up, that would be great," he says. 

Antoinette Meier, who oversees the iCommute program for SANDAG, says getting stranded in an emergency is the top fear San Diegans have for not trying alternative commuting, even if it can save them money and help the environment. That's why the organization signed the five-year deal with Uber, which joins Yellow Cab and Enterprise Rent-a-Car as the providers for the longtime program.

San Diego workers who sign up online with their employment details and agree to the terms will get three promo codes for free pick ups.