Emergency Ride to Campus

FOR AN ERC CALL NEW BLUE BIRD TAXI AT 258-8331. ONLY THREE PER SEMESTER.

The Emergency Ride to Campus (ERC) program provides freshmen that regularly carpool, bike, walk, or take transit the benefit of an emergency ride back to campus if those transportation options are unavailable. Using alternative transportation saves thousands of dollars each year over owning a car. It also supports UNC Asheville's small university environment and the Guiding Concept of environmental responsibility.

Who can participate?
To be eligible for the program freshman students must have the "ERC 3 per semester" sticker on their OneCard. The student must have used one of the following alternative transportation options to get off campus on the same day as using the ERC program. These are ridesharing (vanpool/carpool), mass transit, bicycling, walking. The taxi ride cannot be for more than 25 mils from campus. If Asheville Transit services the location at the time an ERC cannot be used. Taxi drivers are not required to pick you up if you are disorderly, disrespectful or unreasonable. No smoking or alcohol is permitted in the taxi.

Safety
Safety of UNC Asheville students is always a first priority to the University. This program helps to ease student¡s and parents¡ concerns when the student is using alternative transportation.

EMERGENCIES ONLY
It is only considered an EMERGENCY if there is NO other way for you to get back to Campus.
The ERC is an emergency taxi ride that terminates at UNC Asheville campus.
An individual student can use an ERC ride only three times a semester.
It is NOT considered an emergency if Asheville Transit services the location at the time.
If students misuse the ERC program as determined by UNCA¡s Transportation Planner, then their student account will be charged for the cost of the taxi ride.

When to use the ERC
If you go to an event on the bus and you miss the last bus back to campus.
If you walk or bike and the weather turns bad and the buses are not running.
If you carpool to an event and your ride leaves without you and the buses are not running.

When NOT to use the ERC?
Asheville Transit routes are generally operating Monday-Friday 6am-6pm and Saturday from 6am-1:30am. If the bus services your location at the time, it does not constitute an ÀERC”.
If you have used the ERC three times already this semester.

How it works
When an emergency arises:
Call Asheville Transit (253-5691) to be sure that a Transit Route is not available. (Operators available M-F 6am-5pm) Hours of service Monday-Friday 6am-6pm and Saturday from 6am-1:30am.
If NOT, then you can use your FREE ERC taxi ride!
Call New Blue Bird Taxi 258-8331.
Be aware that when using any taxi it can take up to an hour for the taxi to arrive.
You must have a OneCard with the ÀERC 3 per semester” sticker on it.
The taxi driver will have you read and sign an invoice.
You are responsible only for TIPS to the taxi driver.
Then you are on your way to campus!

Your ride must be within 25 miles of campus and must terminate on UNC Asheville Campus.Four or fewer individuals can get in a taxi at one time, using only one ERC ride. More than four must request a van, in which case all riders must have the ERC decal.