Measure C Senior Scrip

 Paper Senior Scrip for Taxi Cabs and EOC Taxi

— What is paper scrip?  It is sold in books of 20 $1-scrips at the cost of $5.  Use like cash to pay for taxi service fares only.

— Where do I buy paper scrip and how much can I buy?  Each month participants may purchase up to $100 worth of either paper scrip OR electronic scrip credit (but not both).  You can purchase paper scrip at various vending locations.  See the list of paper scrip sales outlets and the list of service providers on page 4 of this FAQ document.

— Does my paper scrip expire?  No.  Senior Scrip does not expire.  Scrip does not need to be used in the same month it is purchased.  Use it at your convenience and when needed.

— Can someone else ride with me?  Yes. Other people may accompany you at no extra charge, as long as the passenger limit does not exceed 4 passengers.

— When are taxi rides available?  Taxi cabs are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  (EOC Taxi’s hours and days vary—call them for their current operational hours.)

— How do I schedule a taxi ride?   You are responsible for scheduling, changing, and cancelling your own trip reservations.  Call the taxi provider of your choice from the approved list of taxi service providers.  (Not all taxi companies accept Senior Scrip Program paper scrip, only those on our list.)

— How long will I have to wait for my ride?  Your wait time for your taxi provider should not be more than 20 minutes.  If a taxi provider will be later than 20 minutes, they are required to let you know so you can chose to continue waiting for them or call another taxi service provider.

— Can I schedule a taxi ride in advance?  Yes, with some taxi service providers that have the capacity to do so.  However, most prefer that you call the day you need the ride, even if you schedule it with them in advance.

— How do I pay the taxi driver?  You are responsible for paying the entire fare displayed on the cab’s meter or EOC’s flat rate for your trip.  Both, taxi cabs and EOC, will accept payment with paper scrip.

— How will I know how much to pay?   Taxi cabs have a meter that will display the fare for your trip.  Fresno EOC Taxi has no meter but they charge flat rates by miles traveled.  (You can request EOC’s flat rates in advance.)

— May I tip the driver with paper scrip?  Yes.  Our current policy allows you to tip with your choice of paper scrip or with cash if you feel the service provided by the driver has been good.  (If you give the driver a choice, the driver may choose cash over the paper scrip to skip the paperwork needed to separate tips from fares at the end of a shift.)

—  I am a Fresno County resident, but I want to travel to Merced, can I use paper scrip for this trip?  Yes.  However, the amount of paper scrip you are allowed to purchase may only cover part of the total cost of your trip.  Please inquire about taxi fares with the taxi company before scheduling a service.  (Local taxi providers may not be able to pick you up outside of their service area, please inquire before scheduling.)

—  I am a resident of Kings County; can I participate in the Senior Scrip Program (with paper scrip)?  No. Measure C’s Senior Scrip Program is available only to Fresno County residents. Please contact your respective city offices regarding senior subsidy programs that may be available in your area.

—  How do I SIGN UP for the Senior Scrip Program?  You must complete and submit the eligibility form (Application for Scrip) along with your proof of age and residency to Fresno COG to become an eligible Senior Scrip User and be able to purchase scrip.

— Can I give or sell my paper scrip to someone else if I do not use it?  No.  Senior Scrip is only to be used by the eligible enrolled senior who has been assigned a User ID Number (for use with paper scrip only).   Senior Scrip is non-negotiable, non-transferable, and non-replaceable.

Electronic Senior Scrip for Lyft or Uber using GoGo Grandparent

— What is electronic scrip credit? It is sold in increments of $20 electronic credits at the cost of $5.  Use to pay for Lyft/Uber rides.

— Where do I buy electronic scrip and how much can I buy?  Each participant may purchase up to $100 worth of either paper scrip OR electronic scrip credit (but not both) per month.  Electronic scrip credit may be purchased only through Fresno COG, in person or by phone

Fresno COG’s address is 2035 Tulare Street, Suite 201, Fresno, CA  93721

Fresno COG’s phone number is (559) 233-4148

— Does my electronic scrip credit expire?  No.  Senior Scrip (in electronic format) does not expire.  The balance at the end of the month will roll-over for you to use in the following month(s), as needed.

— Can someone else ride with me?  Yes.  Other people may accompany you, at no extra charge, as long as the passenger limit does not exceed 4 passengers (up to 6 people if scheduling and paying for a Lyft XL or Uber XL.)

—  When are Lyft/Uber rides available? Operators at GoGoGrandparent telephone lines and Lyft/Uber drivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

— How do I schedule a Lyft/Uber ride?  The Measure C Senior Scrip Program has joined with the GoGoGrand-parent organization to provide our enrolled Measure C Senior Scrip program users access to Lyft and Uber ride services by dialing only one telephone number (1-855-464-6872).  Seniors need not own or use a smartphone to order or monitor their ride.

— How long will I have to wait for my ride?  Driver availability depends on your location, the time of day, and number of other rides being requested. In the majority of cases, your ride will arrive within 5-15 minutes — so be ready to leave when you call!

— Can I schedule a Lyft/Uber ride in advance?  Yes, but most folks call 15 minutes before they need to leave.  We highly recommend you do the same as passengers’ plans often change.  Note that once drivers are sent to pick you up you cannot cancel without being charged a fee.  See page 3- other Lyft/Uber fees you want to prevent.

— How do I pay the Lyft/Uber driver?  You do not pay the driver.  Electronic scrip purchases are uploaded by Fresno COG to your individual credit account.  GoGo-Grandparent will draw the payment from your Senior Scrip/GoGo ride credit account and pay the driver for you.

— How will I know how much to pay? GoGoGrandparent will call or email you once your ride is complete with a record of your charges.  (Electronic scrip credit can be purchased only through Fresno COG by phone or in person.)

— May I tip the driver from the value of my account?  No.  Tips are not figured into the total fare of the Lyft/Uber rides that are booked through GoGoGrandparent and are not required most of the time. Lyft/Uber drivers are not customarily expected to open doors for you or help you into the car, even though the majority will do that for our seniors.  If you need help with a walker or wheelchair, or loading and unloading groceries, the driver hailed to pick you up must be made aware of that in advance.  Prior to his/her acceptance of your ride please notify the GoGo Grandparent associate of any special needs when you call to order your ride.  You may then wish to tip the driver with cash if he/she provides this extra help.

— Can I give or sell my electronic scrip to someone else if I do not use it?  No.  Your Senior Scrip electronic ride credits are to be used by you as the eligible senior and should not be used to hail Lyft/Uber rides for others.

—  I am a Fresno County resident, but I want to travel to Merced, can I use electronic scrip for this trip?  Yes.  GoGoGrandparent is available wherever there is Lyft and Uber service.  However, the amount of electronic scrip you are allowed to purchase may only cover part of the total cost of your trip.  Before scheduling service, please consult with the GoGoGrandparent operator to ensure you have an adequate electronic credit balance needed for your trip.

—  I am a resident of Kings County; can I participate in the Senior Scrip Program (with electronic scrip)?  No. Measure C’s Senior Scrip Program is available only to Fresno County residents. Please contact your respective city offices regarding senior subsidy programs that may be available in your area.

—  How do I SIGN UP for the program that allows me to order Lyft/Uber rides?  All seniors that are already enrolled as Measure C Senior Scrip Program users will need to complete and submit the Senior Scrip Program Application Addendum to Fresno COG.  Seniors not yet enrolled as Measure C Senior Program users may complete and submit both applications at the same time.