About WeGo Sonoma |

Overview

WeGo Sonoma is a real-time rideshare pilot program rolling out across Sonoma County. Using web and mobile technology, WeGo Sonoma provides a convenient and affordable way to share rides through a social network that connects riders and drivers in real-time and in advance.

The pilot aims to:

Increase the number of shared commute trips while reducing the parking demand;
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
Build a critical mass of users to continue ridesharing once local outreach wraps up in late 2013.

The Sonoma County Transportation Authority is implementing the pilot in partnership with the Santa Rosa-based non-profit Climate Protection Campaign and their software provider, Avego.

How it works

A mobile phone is required to use the software. Those with smartphones can use the app either as riders or drivers. Those with basic mobile phones can use the software only as riders. The software tracks shared trips and electronically transfers a micropayment from rider to driver to offset the cost of driving. To facilitate rideshare community-building, it also features a user rating system.

Additionally, those who live, work or learn (age 18+) in Sonoma County and participate in WeGo Sonoma are eligible for the WeGo MORE rewards and referral programs, with opportunities to earn great rewards for sharing rides. For more details about WeGo Sonoma, check out our Community page.

Cost

The smartphone app is free to download. All new users receive $20 in credit to try the system as riders. Riders are charged $1 for the first mile of the shared trip then 20 cents per mile for the next 15 miles. Thereafter, the cost drops to 8 cents per mile. These micropayments from the rider to driver are transferred electronically. The driver also has the option of providing the rider a free ride in the app.

Getting started

To participate, interested people who live, work, or attend school (age 18+) in Sonoma County must complete the online registration at WeGoSonoma.com. Once completed, an email will guide registrants through additional simple steps.

First Steps

1. Sign up with WeGo Sonoma.

2. Create your ridesharing profile with the FREE “Avego RTR” app for iPhone and Android; or go online.

3. Be sure to add your commute schedules AND a great photo of yourself in your profile. For instructions on how to do this, see below.

4. Like WeGo Sonoma on Facebook (to further engage with your rideshare community!)

5. Refer your friends who live, learn, or work in Sonoma County and you’ll earn referral bonuses!

Want detailed instructions? Here’s the run-down.

Create your account.

OK! First, create your account. And refer your friends (age 18+) who live, learn, or work in Sonoma Co. (The more users, the bigger the network of riders and drivers we’ll have to share rides with!) New users get $20 in credit to try-out the system shortly after creating an account.

Download the FREE Avego RTR app

Download the “Avego RTR” app if you have an Android or iPhone. If you do not have a smartphone or mobile device with a web browser, you are currently limited to using the software only as a rider, not a driver.

Open your iPhone or Android app and tap “Sign-up”.

Complete your user profile in the system

Be sure to (1) add a great photo of yourself in your profile (so we’ll recognize your friendly face when it’s time to share a ride!) AND (2) add your commute schedules (so others can see when you’re available to share a ride). Add your commute schedule by tapping “My trips” on the Home screen extended view (which you can always return to by tapping the toggle button or back button in the upper right of any other screen).

Home Screen: choose your role as rider, driver, or either

Do this by tapping your name at the top of the home screen.

Home Screen: enter your current location

You can change this address if you’d like by typing in your location or double-tapping the cross-hairs icon, or eventually by tapping on the heart icon and choosing from your list of location favorites.

Home Screen: enter where you’re headed

In the next field, type your end-point address or city, locate it using the cross-hairs icon, or select it from your favorites by tapping the heart icon.

Select Drivers or Riders to see a list of matches

Tap on a user’s profile and feel free to Message or Call them to see if they’re interested in sharing a ride. The system indicates “currently active” users with a green dot in the lower corner of their mugshot photos on the Home screen. Users with an orange dot are those that have been active in the last 24 hours. Those without a dot have not been active in the system for more than 24 hours. “Guests” sometimes appear in the system as people who have downloaded the app, but haven’t created an account. The software is not fully functional for guests, so they can be disregarded for purposes of arranging a shared ride.

Meet up with your rider or driver at the agreed upon location

The driver will tap the “Pick Up” button under the rider’s profile picture. The rider will give the driver their Rider PIN, found by tapping the toggle button in the upper lefthand corner of the Home screen. See “Your Rider PIN” at the bottom of this extended Home screen. Note: if a driver wishes not to collect any electronic payment from the rider, the driver can select “Give free ride.” Free rides do not require a 6-digit PIN.

If you’re a rider

Get your 6-digit Rider PIN at the bottom of the Home screen. Give this PIN to your driver when you meet-up, before you start the shared ride.

If you’re a rider without a smartphone

Get your Rider PIN by texting “PIN” to (909) 203-7573. In moments, you’ll receive a text message with your 6-digit Rider PIN. Give this PIN to your driver, who will enter it into their smartphone app.

If you’re a driver sharing a ride with someone without a smartphone

Tap “Walk-up rider” on your app’s Main screen. Your rider will get their PIN as indicated above. Note: if a driver wishes not to collect any electronic payment from the rider, the driver can select “Give free ride” after selecting “Pick up” on a user’s profile screen, or on the “Walk-up rider screen.” Free rides do not require a 6-digit PIN.

Now the software will indicate that you’re sharing the ride!

Once rider and driver are sharing the ride, the screen will show who they’re “ridesharing with.”

To end the shared ride

Either the rider or the driver can tap “Drop-off.” The driver will be prompted to rate the rider. Most riders get five stars. (In a future version of the software, the rider will also be prompted to rate the driver.)