Cars driving on a road next to a bike path with cyclists riding along it
Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Emergency Ride Home Program

Emergency Ride Home Program logo stating, "Powered by RoundTrip"

Emergency Ride Home (ERH) is a free program for Dane County commuters that makes it easier to commute car-free without worrying about how you'll get home in an emergency.

If you walk, bike, ride the bus, or carpool to work or post-secondary school, ERH provides up to six $75 Union Cab vouchers annually so that you always have a way home in qualifying emergencies.

The goal? To give commuters peace of mind in choosing affordable, healthy, and sustainable commute options by ensuring there is always a backup plan.

ERH is funded by the Dane County Highway and Transportation Department and administered by RoundTrip, a free program of the Greater Madison MPO.

Who Can Join?

The Emergency Ride Home (ERH) Program is open to adults commuting to work or post-secondary school in Dane County without a personal vehicle. 

Participants must be: 

  • At least 18 years old
  • Primarily walking, biking, riding the bus, or carpooling on the days you travel to work/post-secondary school

Are you a UW–Madison employee? Register with RoundTrip using your work email to join the UW Emergency Ride Home Program.

How it Works
  1. Sign Up: Create a free RoundTrip account and request to join ERH on your homepage.
  2. Approval: Your request is reviewed within 1-2 business days.
  3. Redeem a Ride: When a qualifying emergency occurs, log in to RoundTrip and redeem a voucher. Vouchers are limited to $75 and riders are responsible for driver tip.
  4. Ride Home: Call Union Cab at (608) 242-2000 to request an ERH ride. Either print or show your voucher to the driver on your phone when they arrive.

No computer access? Request paper vouchers by calling (608) 266-7433 or emailing roundtrip@cityofmadison.com.

Where Can You Ride?

Rides may only be use to get from work or school to:

  • Home
  • Park-and-ride lots
  • Public transit stops
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Daycare or schools (to pick up dependents)

What's Covered

Qualifying emergency situations include: 

  • Personal or family illness or crisis
  • Unexpected early departure of your carpool driver
  • Bicycle breakdown during your commute (both ways)
  • Unscheduled overtime requested by your supervisor, leaving you without a way home
  • A new carpool arrangement that isn’t a good fit, leaving you without a way home

What's NOT Covered

ERH does not cover (including, but not limited to):

  • Inclement weather
  • Rides to work or school
  • Public transit service disruptions or delays
  • Rides from home to any destination
  • Personal vehicle breakdowns
  • Missed bus or carpool due to running late
  • Trips for errands, appointments, or non-work destinations (e.g., the airport)
  • Voluntary overtime (choosing to work late)
  • Multiple rides in the same day
  • In general, any situation of which there was prior knowledge

To get started, register for free with RoundTrip Greater Madison and request to join ERH on your homepage:

Register with RoundTrip

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RoundTrip to the rescue! Thanks to you, I had a way home after my bicycle broke down. Thank you for getting me out of a jam!

—

Susan, Emergency Ride Home Program participant