Temporary Service Modifications Due to COVID-19

Face Coverings Optional

Effective Sept. 23, 2022, face coverings will be optional when riding in a Lyft vehicle or wheelchair van, due to a new health order issued by LA County Public Health.

We are committed to keeping MODE safe, and will continue to make changes to how you ride, based on guidance from the CDC and LA County Public Health.

When wearing a face covering:

• Do make sure you can breathe through it.
• Do wear it whenever going out in public or riding in the wheelchair van.
• Do make sure it covers your nose and mouth.
• Do wash after each use.

Modified Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Every Other Friday: 12pm - 4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 5pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Note:  MODE members with a negative account balance must pay their balance in full at Blue: The Transit Store with cash or check, no later than Monday, May 2, 2022.

---

Service Hours & Program Changes

The following MODE program changes will be implemented until further notice, to protect the safety and well-being of our operators and customers: 

• Weekday service will be available Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Saturday service will be available from 8:30am to 3:30pm; Sunday service is discontinued until further notice. 
• Door-through-door service is unavailable until further notice.

Program Reminders:

• Members booking trips on Lyft must call between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.
• Members booking trips for a wheelchair van must contact 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. Saturday and Sunday trips are available by reservation only, and must be reserved at least two (2) days in advance.

---

Resources for Food & Other Essentials

For resources related to food and groceries, transportation, and other essential needs, please visit santamonica.gov/coronavirus-seniors, or call the City of Santa Monica's COVID-19 hotline at: (310) 458-8400.

Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and support as we implement measures to keep MODE service running, while also preventing the further spread of COVID-19.

Mobility On Demand Every Day Program

Big Blue Bus and WISE & Healthy Aging have partnered with Lyft to introduce Mobility On Demand Every Day (MODE), the City of Santa Monica's shared-ride service for older adults and persons with disabilities.

The MODE program provides members with greater options for freedom and mobility, by offering curb-to-curb, on-demand transportation, convenient payments, and much more.

For more information about the program, download the MODE brochure below.

Eligibility

Any City of Santa Monica resident who is:

• At least 65-years-old, or
• At least 18-years-old with a disability

Eligible participants must register with WISE & Healthy Aging prior to using MODE; see How to Register for more details.

Please note: If you are 18-64 years old, you must provide proof of disability. The following will be accepted as proof of disability:

1. TAP Card for Persons with Disabilities (LACTOA Card); or
2. Access Services ID Card; or
3. Medicare Card (not Medi-Cal); or
4. Proof of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits (present benefit/ verification letter).

MODE members receive a total of thirty (30) one-way trips per month, including Lyft Shared and wheelchair van rides.

Hours of Operation

Registered members can take trips on MODE during the following hours (Sunday service is discontinued until further notice):

Holiday Service

MODE does not operate on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Cesar E. Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

Fares

MODE offers two (2) fare types for a one-way ride, in either a Lyft or wheelchair vehicle:

1. Low-Income Fare: $0.75
   
   Click here to learn how to qualify for the Low-Income fare.
   
   
2. Regular Fare: $1.50

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

Note: MODE members are limited to thirty (30) one-way trips per month, for wheelchair van and/or Lyft rides. Failure to comply with these rules may result in termination from the program.

How to Pay Your Fare

Credit, Debit & Prepaid Cards
Payments can be made through your Lyft account, with either a credit, debit, or prepaid card; your card will automatically be charged either $0.75 (Low-Income fare) or $1.50 (Regular fare) after each eligible ride.

Cash, Checks, & Card Payments
Wheelchair and door-through-door members must pay for eligible rides in advance by cash, check, or credit card at Blue: The Transit Store only; see Passenger Accessibility for more details.

Service Area

Trips taken within the Santa Monica city limits during hours of operation, as well as select shopping destinations on Lincoln Blvd. in Venice (99 Cents Only Store, Whole Foods, Smart & Final, Ralph's, Rite Aid, and Ross Dress for Less), qualify for MODE. Access to the following medical facilities will also be permitted at all times during hours of operation:

• UCLA Medical Center
• Kaiser Medical Centers in West Los Angeles and Culver City/Marina del Rey
• The West Los Angeles V.A. Medical Center

However, members are encouraged to schedule these trips between 10:00am and 3:00pm, to ease the challenge of traveling in the wheelchair van during rush hour.

Get Started With MODE

1. Call

Active and new MODE members can take advantage of complimentary Club WISE Membership by selecting the Club WISE check box on the application below or calling WISE & Healthy Aging at (310) 394-9871 to join. Club WISE is a Lifelong Learning Program that offers in person and virtual fitness classes, art, book discussions, lectures and more. Members who live in Santa Monica can also join the WISE Diner Program at no cost and receive nutritious hot lunches Monday through Friday at three locations including Ken Edwards Center, Reed Park, and the Adult Day Service Center.

To be eligible for the MODE program, you must register with WISE & Healthy Aging. For details, please contact: (310) 394-9871. 

2. Register

You may register in-person at Ken Edwards Center (1527 4th St., Santa Monica, CA, 90401); caregivers and relatives may also accompany you during registration. For more information, please call WISE & Healthy Aging at (310) 394-9871.

When registering, please be sure to bring the following:

• Valid government issued picture ID: State ID or driver's license, or passport.
• Proof of Santa Monica residency: Address on valid ID, gas or electric bill dated within three (3) months, or letter from the Housing Authority verifying assistance dated within one (1) year.
• Intended form of payment: Credit, debit, or prepaid card is preferred. Please bring check or cash ($5 minimum) to pre-pay for rides on the wheelchair van. 
• Your fully charged iPhone or Android smartphone device if you have one.
• Completed MODE application (below).

Download | English

Apply online | English

3. Ride

Follow the steps below to request a ride using Lyft's app or website:

Download our MODE Quick Guide for detailed instructions on how to use Lyft on a smartphone, computer, or mobile browser.

Please note: Members without a smartphone, computer, or credit, debit, or prepaid card, can phone the MODE Call Center (310-458-6633) to schedule a pickup.

4. Rules for Riding

Ensuring the safety and well-being of MODE members is the top priority for Big Blue Bus. The Customer Code of Conduct outlines expected behavior for anyone using Big Blue Bus services and the Mobility On-Demand Every Day (MODE) Program, and serves as a respectful reminder to treat fellow members and MODE staff with consideration, patience, respect, and civility for the mutual safety and enjoyment of the program.

Passenger Accessibility

Reservations

Wheelchair and door-through-door members must contact 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.

*Please note: Saturday and Sunday trips are available by reservation only, and must be reserved at least two (2) days in advance.

Payment Options

Payments for wheelchair or door-through-door trips must be made in advance by cash, check, or credit card ($5.00 minimum deposit) at:

Blue: The Transit Store
1444 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Checks must be delivered in-person and made payable to: City of Santa Monica – Big Blue Bus

Wheelchair & Other Mobility Aids

The term "wheelchair" means, a mobility aid belonging to any class of three (3) or more wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed or modified for and used by individuals with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered.

Seat Belt & Wheelchair Securement Policy

MODE requires all passengers to wear seatbelts, including passengers in wheelchairs/scooters, at all times during the ride. Drivers may assist passengers to secure the lap belts to ensure the customer's safety. Drivers will secure all wheelchairs/scooters in the proper wheelchair position on the vehicle. If a passenger refuses to wear a seatbelt or secure their wheelchair/scooter, they may be denied service.

Most MODE vehicles are designed to accommodate wheelchairs up to 30 inches by 48 inches. However, we will transport larger mobility devices, if they can be safely accommodated on our vehicles. A wheelchair must be able to maneuver and fit properly into the wheelchair position on the vehicle and be secured. Wheelchairs that cause legitimate safety concerns, such as an oversized wheelchair that does not fit properly into the wheelchair position, or interferes with the safe evacuation of passengers in an emergency, will not be accommodated.

Lyft App Training

Need hands-on training on how to use the Lyft app? For information on upcoming training opportunities, contact the MODE Call Center at (310) 458-MODE (6633).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Lyft?
   
   Lyft is an on-demand ride service that matches you with a nearby driver who will pick you up and take you to your destination. Rides are requested using the Lyft mobile app for iPhone and Android smartphones, or online with a Lyft account.

2. 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 (enclosed); a discount code will be applied to your Lyft account within five (5) business days of your completed registration for MODE.

3. 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?
   
   Yes. Members unable to use the Lyft mobile app can instead request 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.

4. 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 to schedule a pickup, and may pay for rides in advance by check, cash, or credit card ($5.00 minimum). Please make deposits in-person at Blue: The Transit Store (1444 4th St., Santa Monica CA, 90401).

5. 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.

6. 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 Regular ($1.50) or Low-Income ($0.75) fare, please call WISE & Healthy Aging at (310) 394-9871.

7. Can I request a MODE ride on standard Lyft or Lyft XL?
   
   Not right now. 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.

8. How many rides can I take per month on MODE?
   
   MODE members are limited to thirty (30) one-way trips per month, for wheelchair van and/or Lyft rides. Failure to comply with these rules may result in termination from the program.

9. How do I receive Low-Income fares on MODE?
   
   To receive the Low-Income fare, members must meet the following income requirements:
   
   

   Household Size	Annual Income
   1	$41,400 or less
   2	$47,300 or less
   3	$53,200 or less
   4	$59,100 or less
   5	$63,850 or less
   6	$68,600 or less

   Eligible MODE members must also provide proof of income (e.g. CalFresh, EBT Card, Federal Tax Return (page 1), Medi-Cal Card, Proof of Lifeline, Recent Pay Stub, SNAP, W-2). It may take up to thirty (30) days to receive the Low-Income fare, following verification of low-income status.
   
   Members may submit proof of income in three (3) convenient ways:

   1. Online
      Members may submit proof of income via email to: mode.mailbox@smgov.net.
      
      
   2. By Mail
      Members may submit proof of income by mail to:
      
      Attn: MODE Program Manager
      1660 7th Street
      Santa Monica, CA 90401
      
      
   3. In-Person
      Members may submit proof of income in-person during MODE office hours:
      
      Where:  Ken Edwards Center
                   1527 4th St.
                   Santa Monica, CA 90401
      
      When: Every Friday | 10am – 12pm
      
      

For more frequently asked questions, download the MODE FAQ below.

Download | English

Download | Spanish

Additional Information

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact WISE & Healthy Aging at (310) 394-9871.