transportation
Transportation Backup Plans
Backup transportation strategies when a primary plan becomes unsafe or unavailable.
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Safety Planning
Transportation Backup Plans
Overview
Transportation backup plans outline options if your usual way of getting somewhere is not available or does not feel safe. The lists below focus on simple, practical steps you can prepare in advance.
Public Transit Fallback
Consider how you might use buses, trains, or other public transit if your usual transportation is disrupted.
- Identify the nearest:
- Bus stops
- Train or subway stations
- Tram or light rail stops (if available)
- Save key route details:
- Routes that pass near your home
- Routes that go near work, school, or a safe location
- Night or late-service routes
- Keep schedules or maps:
- Screenshot timetables on your phone
- Download transit apps that work offline
- Keep a small paper map or printed schedule in your bag
- Plan backup walking options:
- Safe, well-lit walking routes to transit stops
- Alternate stops you can use if one feels unsafe
- Prepare payment options:
- Transit card with a small pre-loaded balance
- Stored payment in a phone app (if safe for you)
- Small amount of cash kept separately from your wallet
Public transit options can change. Reviewing routes and schedules every few months can keep this part of your plan current.
Safe Contacts List
A safe transportation contacts list is a set of people you might be able to call for a ride in specific situations.
- Identify possible contacts:
- Trusted friends or coworkers
- Neighbors you know
- Family members in or near your area
- Create a simple list:
- Name, phone number, and general location
- Days/times they are usually available
- Any conditions (for example, “can help only on weekends”)
- Decide how you will store the list:
- On paper in a wallet or bag
- In your phone contacts under names that feel safe to you
- In a small notebook with other important numbers
- Plan what you might say:
- A neutral phrase to ask for a ride
- A code word or phrase (only if it makes sense for you and them)
- Consider boundaries:
- How far they can drive
- Whether they can come to your home or prefer a neutral pick-up point
- Whether they are comfortable being contacted at night
Temporary Rideshare Options
Rideshare options (such as app-based ride services or community ride programs) can be part of a backup plan if you have safe access to a phone and payment.
- Review available services in your area:
- App-based rideshare companies
- Local community ride services or shuttles
- Volunteer or nonprofit transportation services
- Prepare accounts (if safe):
- Create accounts using contact information that feels safe for you
- Store logins in a password manager or written list kept securely
- Check if prepaid gift cards can be used for payment
- Pre-select safe destinations:
- Trusted friend or family member’s address
- Workplace or school
- Public places that feel familiar and predictable (for example, libraries or large stores)
- Plan pickup details:
- Neutral, well-lit pickup locations near your home
- Alternate pickup points if your usual location does not feel safe
- How you will confirm driver and car information before entering
- Consider phone access:
- Ability to delete recent ride history if needed
- Using a secondary device, if that is part of your wider safety plan
- Keeping a charger or power bank in your bag
Some people combine rideshare plans with public transit, using rides only for the first or last part of a journey.
Emergency Taxi Instructions
Taxi services can be a backup if other options do not work or feel safe. Clear instructions can make this easier to use when you need it.
- Identify taxi providers:
- Local taxi companies that operate 24/7 or late hours
- Companies that have phone booking rather than only apps
- Any accessible vehicle options you may need
- Store key information:
- Taxi company names and phone numbers
- Notes on typical wait times in your area
- Any reference numbers for previous bookings, if helpful
- Plan payment methods:
- Estimated cost of common trips (home to a safe address, for example)
- Cash amount you might want to set aside separately
- Whether cards or digital payments are accepted
- Prepare clear pickup instructions:
- A short description of safe pickup locations near you
- What you will say if you want to meet the taxi at a corner or landmark instead of your door
- A simple phrase to confirm the driver and destination when the taxi arrives
- Consider privacy and records:
- How taxi receipts are delivered (paper, email, text)
- Whether you want to limit identifying details on receipts
- Where you will store or discard any receipts
Putting Your Transportation Backup Plan Together
Bringing these pieces together into a simple plan can make it easier to use if you are under time pressure.
- Create a one-page summary:
- Top three public transit options
- Three safe contacts and their numbers
- One or two rideshare or taxi options, with phone numbers or app names
- Two or three safe destinations you might go to
- Decide where to keep it:
- Folded paper in your wallet, bag, or coat pocket
- Note in your phone under a neutral title
- Duplicate copy in a private place at home, if possible
- Review and update regularly:
- Check if contacts are still available
- Update transit, rideshare, and taxi details
- Adjust destinations based on any changes in your situation
Some people find it helpful to review transportation options alongside their wider plans for safety, documentation, and support, including community resources listed at DV.Support.