Rideshare FAQ's

• How does rideshare work?

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  A rideshare is a group of 3 to 15 people sharing the ride to work in a 7, 12, or 15 passenger vehicle. The vehicles are assigned to groups of people who share their commute and are driven by an approved member of the rideshare group. Every group has a driver, backup driver, and bookkeeper. Pierce Transit owns, maintains, manages, insures, and licenses the vehicle.

• How much does rideshare cost?

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  rideshare fares are based on the daily roundtrip commute miles of the vehicle and are paid in advance monthly. You can find your fare on our rideshare fares page. Many employers offer a commute benefit that may pay for all or part of your fare, so make sure to ask your employer about any available commute benefits.

• If I join a rideshare, what is my commitment?

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  You may withdraw from a rideshare at any time. Withdrawal notices must be submitted prior to the 20th of the month to avoid being charged the next month’s fare.

• Who pays for fuel?

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  Fuel is included in the cost of your rideshare fare. Approved rideshare drivers fuel the vehicle with a fuel card that is issued by Pierce Transit.

• How are rideshare fares calculated?

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  rideshare fares are based on the daily roundtrip commute miles of the vehicle and are paid in advance. You can find your fare on our rideshare fares page.

• What if the rideshare group gains or loses a rider?

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  In May of 2022, we implemented a flat rate fare model for our rideshare program. rideshare fares are now based exclusively on the daily roundtrip commute miles of the vehicle, regardless of how many riders are in the group. This means a simple, predictable, and consistent fare each month. All rideshare groups must have a minimum of three participants.

• Do I get picked up at my home?

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  Each group determines their route and schedule. Most groups decide to meet at a convenient location to keep mileage and commute times to a minimum. The initial route, and any changes, must be approved by Pierce Transit. All routes must either start or finish in Pierce County.

• What happens when I'm sick or on vacation?

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  Your fare reserves your seat on the rideshare. If you are a monthly rider, you may rideshare as often or as little as you like during the month. If you are a daily rider, you may ride on the days you reserved a seat and paid your daily fare. Pierce Transit does not offer refunds for nonuse.

• Can I rideshare part-time?

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  Yes, you may join a full-time rideshare group as a part-time rider and pay a daily rate if the group has three or more full-time participants. Please visit our rideshare fares page to view the daily rates.

• What does the primary rideshare driver do?

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  The primary driver is responsible for safely driving the rideshare vehicle, fueling the vehicle, making sure the vehicle is cleaned regularly, and coordinating with our team on required vehicle maintenance. The primary driver also coordinates driver coverage with other approved backup drivers to ensure (as much as possible) that the vehicle operates each work day.

• How do I become a driver?

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  Start by signing up for rideshare at Rideshare.PierceTransit.org and select the driver option on the Application & Agreement. We will review your information and conduct a motor vehicle driving record review. After approval, we will provide you with online rideshare driver training.

• What are the benefits of becoming a primary rideshare driver?

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  Primary rideshare drivers do not pay a fare if there are at least five fare paying participants in the group. Approved drivers may also use the vehicle for things that are incidental to the commute, such as going to an appointment during work hours or stopping by the gym on the way home. A low standard mileage rate applies for all incidental use miles.

• How are rideshare drivers selected?

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  rideshare drivers must have five years of recent driving history, a valid Washington State driver license, a safe driving record, and proof of insurability. All potential drivers must apply to become a driver. This includes a review of their motor vehicle driving record. Drives are also required to complete a defensive driving course provided through Pierce Transit.

• I drove a PT rideshare before. Am I automatically reapproved?

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  The short answer is no, you are not automatically reapproved. If you were a Pierce Transit rideshare driver within the last year, we may be able to waive the defensive driving course if you meet certain criteria. The fasted way to get reapproved as a driver is to sign up for rideshare at Rideshare.PierceTransit.org and select the driver option on the rideshare Application & Agreement.

• What if I drove a rideshare for a different transit agency?

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  If you were a rideshare driver at different transit agency within the past year, we may be able to waive the defense driving course if you meet certain criteria. The fasted way to get approved as a driver is to sign up for rideshare at Rideshare.PierceTransit.org and select the driver option on the Application & Agreement. .

• What happens if the primary driver is sick or on vacation?

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  Rideshare groups are required to have at least one approved backup driver who can drive when the primary driver is unavailable. If no approved drivers are available, the rideshare cannot operate. No fare refunds are provided for nonuse.

• What does a bookkeeper do?

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  The rideshare bookkeeper is vital to the success of the rideshare. This volunteer records ridership and mileage. The bookkeeper also ensures that completed rideshare reports are submitted to Pierce Transit by the tenth of each month. A rideshareer who rides regularly is a good candidate to keep the books for the group.
  
  A potential bookkeeper submits an application and receives training before assuming volunteer bookkeeper responsibilities. The bookkeeper must be an active participant in the rideshare.

• How does vehicle maintenance work?

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  Our fleet of rideshare vehicles are kept in top working order. We ensure that all required and suggested routine maintenance is completed on schedule. When a vehicle is called in for service, an approved driver brings the vehicle to Pierce Transit and a spare vehicle is issued to the group while the vehicle is being worked on. Maintenance is usually completed within 3-5 days.

• What happens if the vehicle breaks down?

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  In the rare event that your vehicle breaks down, please contact Pierce Transit immediately. We will dispatch our team of highly qualified service technicians to assist you and bring you a spare vehicle as quickly as possible.

• How does rideshare insurance work?

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  rideshare insurance works a lot like renting a car or driving your own vehicle. Pierce Transit is insured through the Washington State Transit Insurance Pool (WSTIP), which provides coverage for the vehicle and limited coverage for authorized occupants. Uninsured motorist coverage is also provided. Please review our rideshare insurance coverage prior to joining a rideshare.

• How do we find more riders for our rideshare group?

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  Our team can work with you and your employer to recruit additional riders. Ride matching services are also available at Rideshare.PierceTransit.org. Some of our rideshare groups have had success recruiting additional riders through their employer newsletter and posting a Riders Wanted flyer at their workplace. Please contact us for additional ideas and resources.

• Is smoking allowed in the rideshare vehicle?

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  No. State law prohibits smoking in or within 25 feet of our vehicles or buildings. By signing the Participant Agreement, riders agree to refrain from using tobacco and/or vaporizer products while in or within 25 feet of our vehicles or buildings. Additionally, rideshare participants may not possess, use, or be under the influence of alcohol or any federally prohibited substance, including marijuana.

• Are children allowed to rideshare?

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  With approval from Pierce Transit, a youth rider may be added to a rideshare by a parent or legal guardian who is a member of the rideshare group. A youth rider is anyone who is age 18 or younger. A Youth Rider Agreement must be completed prior to youth riding on a rideshare. Please contact us for additional information about adding a youth rider on your rideshare.