GO GERONIMO's

1) How is using the Reg different from hitchhiking?

Everyone registered with the GO GERONIMO Reg is associated with the San Geronimo Valley, a small community of about 4,000 people. Each successful registrant is issued a large photo ID laminate which is easily visible to potential riders and drivers. Adult applicants need to pass a background check by the Sheriff's Department before they can receive an ID laminate.

2) Do I need to maintain a fixed schedule to be a part of the Reg?

Nope. The Reg is a flexible ridesharing service. Since Sir Francis Drake is our one road in and out of the Valley, riders can be confident that a registered driver will soon pass by. Drivers just keep their eyes out for roadside riders, and it works!

3) What's the difference between the Reg and the Skedge?

The Skedge can be used for regular as well as one-time-only rides. If someone needs a ride from San Geronimo to San Rafael at 8 in the morning, they can look at the bulletin board at the Cultural Center (or the Skedge page of this Web site) and find about half a dozen people who are offering rides. The rider then gives one or more of these drivers a call (or sends an e-mail) to make an arrangement. The Reg is our program for making safer the more random, road-side ride arrangements. (Please note: some say they actually wait less for a Reg ride than a Skedge ride because it's so easy to get road-side rides.)

4) Who's using the Reg?

When we first started it up, GO GERONIMO thought that kids would be the primary users of the Reg. Now we've found that many adults use the Reg as an alternative to driving a car. Sometimes car owners use it to be ecological, or just because it's fun. Many kids use it too. Drivers get purple laminates and riders get green laminates. Drivers are encouraged to use their laminates as both drivers and riders.

5) Do people feel stupid standing on the side of the road holding their laminates?

No. Many people say they feel stupid hitchhiking because it's not safe. These same people say that when they use GO GERONIMO, they feel they're part of a hip ecological club.

6) How long do you usually have to wait before you catch a GO GERONIMO ride?

People who use the Reg on a regular basis report that it's very easy to get rides, and that it usually takes no longer than 5 minutes (maybe longer at night). Often times a registered driver will stop within the first 10 cars that pass by. Reg riders who use the program to get to some appointment usually factor in an additional few minutes for catching their ride. Until you've determined your own average ride time, we encourage new Reg riders to allow an extra 10 minutes during the day, 15 at night. Some tips include: holding the laminate with an outstretched arm and smiling!

7) How often do people stop who are not registered with GO GERONIMO?

Actually a lot of people stop who are not registered drivers. We do not advocate taking rides with people who are not part of the program. GO GERONIMO sends paperwork to all registrants showing how to turn down rides. You can feel confident turning down a ride because there is always someone on the way who is registered. (There are now over 275 registered drivers.)

8) How do you turn down a ride?

It's easy to turn down a ride. Whenever someone stops, don't get too close to the car. Ask the driver, "Are you registered with GO GERONIMO?" If they say "No," tell them, "Thanks for stopping, but GO GERONIMO is an official community program. I'm going to wait for a GO GERONIMO driver." People always understand. This is the big difference from hitchhiking, where it's hard to have a good excuse for not taking a ride with someone.

9) What if I need to let my teen use GO GERONIMO, but want to have some extra rules?

Great! GO GERONIMO advocates that parents and their kids talk about the program and create "house rules." Some typical examples of these are:

• only use the program within the Valley
• only use the Reg during the daylight hours
• call me before and after you get a ride
• only use the Reg when you're going somewhere with a friend

10) What if I have an appointment or have to catch a bus over the hill at a certain time?

Several frequent GO GERONIMO users who do not own cars state that the Reg works very well in these cases. They usually allow at least an extra 5 minutes to catch a ride.

11) What else can I expect with GO GERONIMO ride sharing?

Using the GO GERONIMO Reg or Skedge, you can expect to meet some really nice people, neighbors who you might not meet otherwise. Sometimes too, you'll get a ride from someone you know, which is always fun. One rider says, "Taking GO GERONIMO is the most fun commuting that I've ever had."

12) Does the GO GERONIMO Reg exist anywhere else?

The San Geronimo Valley is the birthplace and sole location at this time for the Reg, though informal road-side ridesharing systems are at work in many other places. Other rural communities have occasionally expressed interest in starting programs similar to GO GERONIMO. We provided all of this information on the Web to encourage communities everywhere to "put THE PUBLIC back in public transportation." Contact us if you'd like more information about any of GO GERONIMO's programs.