Using Uber: your guide to NJ TRANSIT’s Access Link Riders’ Choice Pilot 2.0

What is Access Link Riders’ Choice Pilot 2.0? 

The NJ TRANSIT Access Link Riders’ Choice (ALRC) Pilot 2.0 gives eligible Access Link customers more flexibility by letting them use participating transport network companies (TNCs), including Uber, for eligible trips.

The pilot complements NJ TRANSIT's traditional Access Link service by giving riders another convenient transport option. You can choose the participating TNC that best suits your needs for each trip while continuing to use Access Link whenever it works best for you.

ALRC Pilot 2.0 Uber subsidies

• Up to 10 Uber trips per month
• Access Link will cover up to $20 per trip using Uber Vouchers
• • For example: 
  • • If your total trip cost is $19, the Access Link voucher will cover the first $20. You won’t pay anything, since the trip doesn’t go over the $20 covered by Access Link.
    • If your total trip cost is $27, the Access Link voucher will cover the first $20. You’ll then pay the remaining balance of $7.
    • If your total trip cost is $54, the Access Link voucher will cover the first $20. You’ll then pay the remaining balance of $34.
• Available 7 days a week from 6am to 9pm

Where can I use Uber?

Your Access Link Uber Voucher is valid for eligible trips that both start and finish within the Access Link service area during pilot operating hours.

Uber currently operates in the following Access Link service regions:

• Region 2: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem shires
• Region 3: Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and southern Ocean counties
• Region 4: Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex, and North Ocean counties
• Region 5: Essex, Morris, Somerset, and Union counties
• Region 6: Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic counties

If either your pickup location or destination is outside the eligible Access Link service area, your Uber Voucher won’t apply to the trip.

ALRC enrolment and Uber

When you enrol in ALRC and choose a ride with Uber, you’ll get a text and email directly from Uber letting you know how to add the ALRC voucher to your Uber account. 

Note: ALRC is managed by NJ TRANSIT. Uber voucher terms and conditions apply. The voucher offer and terms are subject to change. “Voucher” is how we describe the subsidy that NJ TRANSIT is providing for your ALRC trip.

Enrol in ALRC today

How to ride

We encourage riders with smartphones to use the Uber app for the smoothest Uber experience.

Download the Uber app and set up your account

1. Go to the App Store or Google Play on your mobile
2. Download the Uber app
3. Create your Uber account by entering the required details and following the prompts in the app
4. Set a strong password
5. Link a payment method

Note: Please ensure the phone number or email address (phone number is preferred) you use to create your Uber account matches the contact details in your ALRC profile. For more information about setting up your account, visit this article.

Verify your account

At Uber, safety is a top priority. Taking steps to verify your identity helps us confirm that the person using your Uber account is you.

• Open the Uber app and tap on Account in the bottom right corner. 
• If your Uber account is verified, you’ll see a blue tick labelled “Verified” when you select “Account.”

• Open the Uber app and tap on Account in the bottom right corner. 
• Next, tap the person icon in the top right corner. 
• Select Personal Info
• Check your account details to make sure your Name, Phone Number, and Email match the information in your ALRC profile with Access Link.
• • If you’re not sure about the contact information you gave to Access Link, please get in touch with Access Link Customer Relations on 1-973-491-4297 to confirm.

Update your Personal Info if needed.

Check your messages

Once Access Link approves you for ALRC, you’ll automatically get an email or text from Uber about your voucher.

• Choose Get started from the email or select the link in your text to accept your ALRC voucher.

Check your Uber wallet for your voucher and check your balance 

Before you request your first Uber trip, it’s a good idea to check that the ALRC voucher is in your Uber Wallet. Follow the steps below to view the voucher and its balance.

• Open the Uber app and tap on Account in the bottom right corner. 
• Choose Wallet.

• Scroll down and select Vouchers. 
• Confirm that the ALRC voucher is available.

• Go to the ALRC voucher to check the program details and your trip balance.

Note: The number of trips you have available will update as you take ALRC trips. Your trip balance will automatically reset each month.

Book a ride with Uber

To book an Uber ride, follow these steps:

• Open the app and enter your destination address in the “Where to?” field. 
• Check your pickup and dropoff locations to make sure they’re correct.

• Choose the Uber ride option that suits your needs. 
• Before selecting Choose, make sure your ALRC voucher is valid for the trip. If the voucher is valid, you’ll see a strikethrough of the regular market price for the Uber trip in the app and the voucher at the bottom of the screen as a payment method. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re expected to pay for your trip.

Note: if the trip does not meet the program criteria, the app will show the market price for the Uber trip since the ALRC voucher did not apply.

• Select Choose to confirm your ride option 
• Select Confirm pickup to confirm your pickup location.

To choose not to use your voucher for a particular trip, follow these steps:

• Find the voucher linked to the trip at the bottom of the ride option screen and select it. 
• On the payment options screen, look for the toggle switch related to the voucher.

• Switch the toggle to the “off” position by swiping it to the left. 
• Then scroll to the top of the payment options screen and select the “X” in the top left to go back to the ride-request screen. 
• By turning off the toggle, the voucher will no longer be applied to the trip. As a result, you’ll see standard market pricing, and the full cost of the trip will be charged to your personal payment method linked to your Uber account.

Waiting for your driver

While your driver is on the way, follow these best practices:

• Use the Uber app to track when your vehicle arrives. 
• When your driver is a few minutes away, make your way to your pickup spot. 
• Once your vehicle has arrived, check your ride before getting in: make sure the licence plate number shown in your app matches the actual vehicle. Drivers will often also ask for your name before starting the trip.

• Enjoy your trip. Once your trip ends, you won’t need to worry about payment since your payment method is already linked to your Uber account. 
• Let us know how your trip went by rating your trip. You can also give your driver a compliment or add a tip in the app. Tipping isn’t required and isn’t part of your ALRC voucher subsidy. If you choose to tip, the amount will be charged to your personal payment method linked to your Uber account.

Get help with a trip

We’re here for you. If something unexpected happens during your trip, please use the Help feature in the Uber app. 

How to access the Help feature:

• Open the Uber app and select Activity at the bottom of the screen 
• Select the trip where you had an issue

• Scroll down to the Help & Safety section to access a range of support options
• Select one of the Help & Safety options 
• Select Customer support to chat with an agent