Rideshare and Ground Transportation

Government employee resources on rideshare services (which includes companies like Uber and Lyft) and other ground transportation options.

When determining the method of transportation, travelers must use the method that is the least costly and in the best interest of the state.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Riders are required to add a business reason for taking the ride in the “Expense Memo” field.
    • If a more expensive class of vehicle is used, the Expense Memo field must include the reason for the higher cost.
  • Riders may add a tip to the ride, as long as the tip does not exceed $2.00, or 20% of the allowable ride costs - whichever is greater. Visit the CalHR online manual for tip guidance (Sections 2201 and 2203).
  • Uber for Business is only allowed for official government business.
  • Use of a transportation network company (TNC) must always be in the best interest of the organization, and must be the most cost-effective method. To determine the most cost-effective method, employees need to conduct a comparison of the trip costs before travel takes place.  
  • Riders must use the lowest cost ride/car class available.
    • Acceptable classes are (Uber) UberX or Uber Pool; and (Lyft) Lyft Standard or Wait & Save.
    • Any vehicle in excess (size and price) of these classes requires a justification. 

RESTRICTIONS:

  • Uber "Reserve" is prohibited for state business use.
  • Uber for Business may not be used for commute purposes. Any rider found to use the organization’s Uber for Business account for commute purposes is subject to audit and will be personally responsible for reimbursing the organization.
  • Uber for Business may not be used for personal use. Any rider found to use the organization’s Uber for Business account for personal use is subject to audit and will be personally responsible for reimbursing the organization.
  • Riders must avoid Surge Pricing at all costs. Surge pricing can be avoided by waiting a few minutes for the application to update and demand to change; or by moving to a different pick-up location outside of the surge area.
  • Tips may be added to a ride and may not exceed $2.00, or 20% of the allowable ride costs - whichever is greater.
    • All tips are billed to a personal payment method and may be submitted for reimbursement. Reimbursement of tips may not exceed $2.00, or 20% of the allowable ride costs - whichever is greater.

RideGuru is a useful tool for calculating and comparing ride fares. 

How to Use Transportation Network Company (Like Lyft and Uber)

  • Download the company’s proprietary application and create an account. 

  • Pay by selecting the preferred payment method established on your account, i.e., personal credit, government travel card, PayPal or Google Wallet.  No cash is accepted.

  • Submit a Travel Expense Claim - STD 262  to your department for reimbursement.

Rideshare Safety

Rideshare transportation provides unique safety concerns that require employees to travel with extra awareness. Please see our safety tips below, as well as the safety recommendations directly from Uber and Lyft.

After a driver has been assigned, your app will provide the driver’s name and photo, make/model of the vehicle and the full license plate number. When your driver arrives, make sure the make/model of the vehicle and the license plate number match what is shown in your app. If you notice any discrepancy, do not get in the vehicle. Cancel the ride and report the incident immediately via the app. Similarly, if the vehicle and license plate match, but the driver is not the one shown within the app, do not get in. Cancel the ride and report the incident immediately via the app. Always verbally confirm the driver’s name before entering the vehicle. The driver will generally confirm your name as well during the pick-up.

Safety information from specific providers can be found below
Uber Safety Information
Lyft Safety Information

Some Helpful Tips

  • Wait to request your ride until after you’ve claimed your luggage at baggage claim. 
  • Ride app drivers are not allowed to solicit customers. Payment is made only through the mobile app. 
  • Ride-app services can only be requested through the provider’s mobile app. 
  • Before entering the vehicle, verify that the license plate number, car make and model, and driver name match the information in the app.

Rideshare Airport Coverage

The airports below have designated locations or other requirements to meet up with rideshare drivers. As airports grow and traffic demands change, these requirements may change as well. For the most up-to-date information, always check the airport’s website. Signage should be present at all airports directing travelers to rideshare pick-up locations.

Ontario

Ontario Airport now allows both Uber and Lyft. Pick-up and drop-off for Terminal A and B is in front of the terminals.

San Francisco

Int'l Terminal - Drivers pick-up and drop-off on the center island of the Ride-App Pick-Up/Drop-Off zones 14-17.
Domestic Terminal - drivers pick up at Level 5 of the Domestic Parking Garage.(Each Domestic Terminal will have a corresponding pickup area in the garage core…) Domestic drop-offs will be at the Domestic Terminal curbside.  

Guests requesting a wheelchair accessible vehicle may also request a pickup at the Domestic Terminal curbside where an ADA ramp is available at Terminal 2 and 3.  At Terminal 1, vehicles may use the front side of a crosswalk to load the wheelchair ramp.  Level 5 of the garage is also ADA accessible.

Burbank

The pick-up point for ridesharing companies is located at the ground transportation island across from the Terminal B entrance.

Oakland

All pickups for Terminals 1 and 2 are located on the 3rd curb. The Uber Driver app will identify the specific section where your riders will be waiting for you. To get to the 3rd curb:

  • Merge to the left-hand lane on Airport Dr following the sign marked “Terminals”

  • Drive past the “Parking” signage and continue in the left-hand lane

  • Take the next available exit on the left and follow it to Curb 3C

San Diego

Pick-up: Terminal 1 -  Exit baggage claim via the escalators, walk across the Sky Bridge toward Ground Transportation and the parking lot, exit down the escalators toward the parking lot, and turn right to the Transportation Plaza. Use crosswalk to the third lane for pick-up area. Terminal 2 - Upon exiting baggage claim, use main crosswalk to Transportation Plaza. Ridesharing pick-up is located in the second lane on the right.

San Jose

Pick-up: Terminal A - Curbside Stop 1, Terminal B - Island Stops 8 & 9.

Sacramento

Pick-up: Terminal A - West Curb, north of terminal. Terminal B - Lindbergh Drive Curb (cross Airport Blvd. and walk past Short Term parking lot).

Orange County

Pick-up:  Located on the top levels of parking structures A2 and B2, and in the Terminal C parking structure on the upper level next to the ticketing area.

Los Angeles

 When leaving LAX, ride apps and taxis can be picked-up at the LAX-it lot next to Terminal 1. Guests can walk or take the free LAX-it shuttles to get to LAX-it.

To get to LAX-it to find Ride Apps (or Taxis) follow these easy steps:

  1. When you exit the terminal on the ground level (baggage claim level) you can walk to the LAX-it lot by Terminal 1 or ride the free LAX-it shuttle, which can be picked up on Lower/Arrivals Level at the inner curb outside of baggage claim areas at the green LAX-it signs.

  2. If you need assistance getting into or out of the shuttle ask the bus operator for help.

  3. Once on your way to the LAX-it lot, use your app to schedule your ride.

The additional airports below allow rideshare operators to pick-up and drop-off without restrictions. Note - rideshare service may be limited or unavailable at some remote airports.

Crescent City, Eureka/Arcata, Redding, Stockton, Santa Rosa, Monterey, Fresno, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Mammoth Lakes, Long Beach, Palm Springs, and El Centro.

Taxicab:

  • Contact a local taxicab company directly via phone or mobile app.

  • Pay at the time of service with cash or other payment method that the taxicab driver accepts.

 Shuttle:

  • Contact the shuttle company (SuperShuttle is one example) to book a ride.

  • Pay at the time of service with the payment method that the shuttle driver accepts. 

Bus/Light Rail:

  • Visit the transit website (like Yolobus/Regional Transit) for routes, schedules, and fares.

  • Pay with the payment method (exact change or pre-paid ticket) that the bus driver accepts at the time of service.  

TIPPING: