Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of RanchRide while continuing to provide residents with affordable transportation options throughout Southern California. RanchRide will maintain free transportation for local destinations while implementing modest rider fees for longer-distance trips that incur higher operating costs.

Policy Statement

RanchRide shall provide complimentary transportation for destinations within a defined local service area. Destinations beyond the local service area may be subject to rider fees based on distance traveled. Fees are intended to partially offset operating expenses while preserving a cost-effective transportation alternative for Rancho Mission Viejo residents.

Applicability

The fare policy applies to riders for “South OC & Beyond” trips organized by RanchRide to destinations outside a defined radius of Rancho Mission Viejo. The policy also applies to organizations that request RanchRide for event-specific shuttle service, regardless of event location.

For purposes of this policy, an “Organization” is defined as any business, nonprofit organization, school, governmental agency, community group, event organizer, or other entity requesting RanchRide transportation services for a specific event, program, activity, or group of participants.

Please Note: Any RanchRide trip or event-specific shuttle service reservation confirmed prior to the effective date of this policy shall be exempt from the fees outlined herein and shall be honored under the terms and conditions in effect at the time the reservation was made. Any new reservations made on or after the effective date shall be subject to this policy.

Review & Adjustment

RanchRide staff will periodically review: Operating costs, ridership levels, vehicle occupancy rates, Grant funding and reimbursements, resident participation, and feedback.

Based on these reviews, fare amounts and distance thresholds may be adjusted to ensure the program remains financially responsible while providing value to residents.

Guiding Principles

When evaluating current & future fare adjustments, RanchRide will strive to:

• Keep local transportation accessible and free whenever feasible.

• Maintain fares significantly below the cost of comparable rideshare or personal vehicle travel.

• Encourage participation while responsibly managing program expenses.

• Balance resident affordability with the long-term sustainability of the service.

Fare Structure

Organizations Fare for Event-Specific Service

Organizations shall cover a minimum of 10% of the total shuttle service cost for any requested event-specific service, with the final percentage determined at the discretion of RanchRide based on factors including trip distance, duration, operational costs, vehicle availability, and staffing requirements.

South OC & Beyond per Rider Fares

Fare includes round trip service. See Destinations by Distance chart at end for details.

Tier 1: Local Destinations

Destinations within a 20-mile radius of Rancho Mission Viejo: No Charge*

Tier 2: Regional Destinations

Destinations approximately 20 to 40 miles from Rancho Mission Viejo: $5 per passenger

Tier 3: Extended Destinations

Destinations greater than 40 miles from Rancho Mission Viejo: $10 per passenger

Destinations greater than 60 miles from Rancho Mission Viejo: $15 per passenger

RanchRide reserves the right to designate destination zones based on geographic regions rather than exact mileage when necessary for administrative simplicity.

Fare Collection

Organizations Fare for Event-Specific Service

A credit card authorization form & service-use contract is required to confirm service. The contract will include a quoted amount reflecting the organization’s required contribution, which shall be a minimum of 10% of the estimated total shuttle service cost plus any anticipated day-of administrative/event supply needs, will be provided by RanchRide at the time of booking.

The organization will be charged the 10% plus any actual day-of administration/service supply costs no later than seven (7) days after the ride date. An itemized list of costs will be provided prior to the card on file being charged.

South OC & Beyond per Rider Fares

• Fees will be collected at the time of reservation through the online reservation portal.

• Reservations are not confirmed until any applicable fee is paid.

• Fees are non-refundable unless a trip is cancelled by RanchRide.

• RanchRide may require a Credit Card Authorization form to charge for cancellations, no-shows, and issue refunds.

Credit Card Authorization

For payments made outside of the online reservation form, a Credit Card Authorization form must be completed to secure the use of RanchRide shuttle service. This form will give RanchRide the authority to charge the card on file for:

1. Organization Fares for special event shuttle service + any extended-time costs incurred

2. Charge Rider Fares for reservations and any changes to the number of riders in the party

3. Cancellation and no-show fees, per the Cancellation Policy

4. Any damages and/or additional cleaning required to the shuttle(s) or RanchRide property

5. Failure to adhere to this policy in its entirety

Ticketed Events

Fares collected by RanchRide are for shuttle service only and do not include tickets or spaces at events. Each rider is responsible for procuring their own tickets at events.

Cancellation Policy

Organizations for Event-Specific Service

Organizations have up until seven (7) days before the date of the requested service date to cancel with no penalty. Any cancellations made less than seven days before the service date may be subject to a cancellation charge, which can be up to the full invoiced amount.

While unlikely, if for whatever reason the shuttle becomes unavailable for the ride, a RanchRide representative will inform the Organization immediately and no cancellation fees will be charged.

South OC & Beyond per Rider

Rider reservations may cancel up to 24-hours in advance of the ride date for a full refund, less the processing service fees.

Reservations cancelled less than 24-hours prior to the ride date will receive a 50% refund, less the processing service fees, and no-shows are non-refundable.

Insurance & Risk Management

RanchRide has its own insurance coverage for while guests are on the shuttles. Insurance does not cover activities at the guests’ destinations, or any activity which occurs while guests are off the shuttles. Contact RanchRide directly for additional information about insurance.

Please contact the RanchRide team at info@ranchride.net to with any questions.