FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 01 WHAT IS MODE? 03 WHAT

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

01 WHAT IS MODE?

MODE (Mobility On-Demand Every Day) is a transportation program for seniors and individuals

with disabilities who live in the City of Santa Monica.

Big Blue Bus has partnered with Lyft to provide curb-to-curb, on-demand transportation through

the MODE program. Lyft’s ﬂexible network of drivers allows MODE to fully and efﬁciently meet

peak demand for service.

03 WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON MODE?

■ ELIGIBILITY: City of Santa Monica residents age 65 and older, or 18 and older with a

disability, qualify for MODE.

■ RESERVATIONS: Advance reservations are not required. Rides can be requested on-demand,

and nearby Lyft drivers will arrive at your pickup location within minutes. Caregivers and

relatives with access to your Lyft account can request rides for you online, by visiting

ride.lyft.com. Those needing wheelchair assistance are encouraged to make advanced

reservations by phone, as they will require use of the wheelchair van.

■ MODE CALL CENTER: Members who do not have computer or smartphone access, or need

a wheelchair van can contact the MODE Call Center (310.458.6633) to schedule a pickup.

Members using Lyft sedans are encouraged to schedule trips using their smartphone or

computer.

■ HOURS OF OPERATION: Weekdays 8am – 4:30pm | Saturdays 8:30am – 3:30pm

02 WHAT IS LYFT?

Lyft is an on-demand shared ride service that matches you with a nearby driver who will pick

you up and take you to your destination. Shared rides are requested using the Lyft mobile app

for iPhone and Android smartphones, or online with a Lyft account.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

MODE – AUGUST 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHERE CAN I GO?

■ You may travel anywhere within the Santa Monica city limits during hours of operation, and

to select shopping destinations on Lincoln Blvd. in Venice (including the 99 Cents Only Store,

Whole Foods, Smart & Final, Ralph’s, Rite Aid, and Ross Dress for Less).

■ MEDICAL TRIPS: Access to the VA Hospital, UCLA Hospital, Kasier Cadillac, and Kaiser

Marina will be permitted at all times during hours of operation.

CAN I USE MY LYFT ACCOUNT TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE?

Yes, but you will be charged regular Lyft rates if you travel outside of the times and places

speciﬁed in the MODE program. If you have any questions about a speciﬁc trip and if it is eligible

for a MODE fare, please call the MODE Call Center (310.458.6633).

HOW DO I PAY MY FARE ON MODE?

■ LYFT CARS: Payments for shared rides using Lyft can be made with all major credit, debit

and prepaid cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express), using the Lyft mobile

app on your iPhone or Android smartphone, or using a computer to access your Lyft account

online. Those without a smartphone or computer must pay for rides in advance by check or

cash ($5.00 minimum), and must call for pickup.

■ WHEELCHAIR VANS: Members using wheelchairs must pay for rides in advance by check or

cash ($5.00 minimum).

Deliver checks and/or cash in-person at:

Blue: The Transit Store

1444 4th St., Santa Monica, CA, 90401

Please make all checks payable to:

City of Santa Monica – Big Blue Bus

HOW MUCH DOES A MODE TRIP COST?

MODE offers two (2) fare types for a one-way ride:

1. Low-Income Fare: $0.75

2. Regular Fare: $1.50

Members may travel with one (1) companion or one (1) Personal Care Attendant, at no additional

cost.

MODE – AUGUST 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes. MODE members may travel with up to one (1) companion or one (1) Personal Care

Attendant on Lyft at no additional cost.

CAN I TRAVEL WITH A COMPANION OR PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT

ON LYFT?

CAN OTHERS REQUEST LYFT RIDES FOR ME?

Yes. Caregivers and relatives with access to your Lyft account can request rides for you online,

by visiting ride.lyft.com. Please note that you must have a mobile phone capable of receiving

text messages in order for them to request your ride online.

CAN I USE MY EXISTING LYFT ACCOUNT ON MODE?

Yes. Please provide the email address and phone number associated with your existing Lyft

account where indicated on the MODE application; a discount code will be applied to your Lyft

account within thirty (30) days of your completed registration for MODE.

HOW CAN I RESERVE A RIDE IN A WHEELCHAIR VAN?

Wheelchair members must phone the MODE Call Center (310.458.6633) to reserve a ride

between one (1) and six (6) days prior to the date of travel. All reservations are booked on a

ﬁrst-call, ﬁrst-served basis, regardless of trip purpose. Members must pay for rides in advance

by check or cash ($5.00 minimum).

I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A SMARTPHONE OR CREDIT, DEBIT, OR PREPAID

CARD. CAN I STILL REQUEST A RIDE ON LYFT?

Yes. Members without a computer or smartphone must phone the MODE Call Center

(310.458.6633) to schedule a pickup, and pay for rides in advance by check or cash ($5.00

minimum).

Yes. Members unable to use the Lyft mobile app can instead request Shared rides online. Simply

visit ride.lyft.com on your computer or mobile browser to request a ride. Please note that you

must have a mobile phone capable of receiving text messages to request rides online.

I HAVE A CREDIT CARD, DEBIT, OR PREPAID CARD, BUT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS

TO A SMARTPHONE. CAN I STILL REQUEST A RIDE ON LYFT?

Deliver checks and/or cash in-person at:

Blue: The Transit Store

1444 4th St., Santa Monica, CA, 90401

Please make all checks payable to:

City of Santa Monica – Big Blue Bus

MODE – AUGUST 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CAN I SCHEDULE RIDES USING MY LYFT ACCOUNT FOR SOMEONE ELSE?

No. Only registered members and their companions or Personal Care Attendants are eligible for

subsidized Lyft rides on MODE. By participating in the MODE program, you agree not to share

your Lyft account information for any purpose other than to have someone schedule rides on

your behalf. Failure to comply with these rules may result in termination from the program.

HOW WILL MODE RIDES ON LYFT BE SUBSIDIZED?

All eligible rides taken on Lyft will be subsidized through the MODE program. A discount code

will be applied to your Lyft account within thirty (30) days of your completed registration for

MODE.

For additional assistance with Lyft, please call the MODE Call Center at 310.458.6633.

HOW CAN I RECEIVE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WITH REQUESTING RIDES

ON LYFT?

CAN I REQUEST A MODE RIDE ON STANDARD LYFT?

Only rides taken on Lyft Shared qualify for the MODE program. When using the Lyft app or

website, be sure to select Shared when requesting a ride. You will be charged full fare for trips

taken on any other ride type.

MODE – AUGUST 2023