Baylinc program offers new incentive

ROBERTSDALE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile and Baldwin county leaders have secured enough money to improve the Baylinc program. Riders who use the program can now call for a ride home during a personal emergency.

Every day, Baylinc buses travel across the bay to take people to and from work. In the past, if a rider had an emergency, that person would have to pay for a taxi to get home. But not anymore, thanks to a new program called Emergency Ride Home, or ERH for short.

Beginning the week of March 15, the program will offer Baylinc commuters a ride home. There is no charge, but you can only use it three times a year.

"I think it's just a comfort measure. That comfort to know that if they need to get home for a sick child, or a sick family member, or if there is an emergency, they have the availability to ride and utilize public transportation," Sandra Middleton of Baldwin Transportation.

There is one stipulation for those who want to participate. You have to sign up by phone, letter, or internet. Otherwise, you won't be eligible.

To sign up, log on to the CommuteSmart Mobile-Baldwin page and register for the ride matching program. After filling out a brief form detailing your commute, you are automatically matched with other carpoolers in a carpooling network. Interested participants are encouraged to sign up through the website, but may also sign up by phone by calling 251-706-1CAR (1227).

The program cost $8,000. Eighty percent of that was paid for by the federal government, and the rest on the local level.

So leaders are encouraging people to take advantage, because every second counts during an emergency.

"It's a great opportunity to try public transit, because there are so many benefits to it," said Middleton.

There are three routes Baylinc provides every work day. The route ends at Bienville Square with a connection to The WAVE Transit. Two routes leave Bienville Square in the afternoon returning to Baldwin County.

The cost of Baylinc varies from $1.50 to $3.00 one way. Contact BRATS at (251) 990-4636, or click here for more information.