YARA: Frequently Asked Questions
Posted By Ensemble
Friday, May 23 2025 at 03:00:12 pm
1. What is YARA?
YARA stands for Your Access, Rides and Autonomy. It is a free transportation service from Ensemble Washington. This program is funded by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Front and Centered. It helps people get to:
-Medical appointments
-Grocery stores
-Job interviews
-School or training
-The airport
-Community and recreational events & more
2. What kind of vehicle is used?
A hybrid minivan (2025 Kia Carnival) with space for 7 passengers. The van is not wheelchair accessible right now. We are working on making this better in the future.
3. Where can I go with this service?
Anywhere within King County
4. How do I book a ride?
Step 1: Fill out the one-time Intake Form here: https://forms.gle/iybe9onQAQPGZWfXA
- Step 2: After that, use the Ride Request Form every time you need a ride: https://forms.gle/K8FoLv5x2hnmC7tEA
5. What are the ride request rules?
- Ride requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance. If your request was submitted with less notice, we’ll do our best to accommodate you, but you may not hear back until our standard business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM). If you don’t receive a confirmation in time, you may want to make alternate arrangements just in case.
- You can book rides up to 1 week in advance, but not further.
- Rides are not guaranteed—they depend on driver availability.
- We give priority to important trips (like doctor visits, job interviews).
6. How will I know if my ride is confirmed?
Our team will do our best to contact you within 1–2 business days to confirm your ride.
7. What questions are on the Intake Form?
We will ask:
- Your name, phone, email
- Your pickup ZIP code or location
- Your main reason for using the service
- Any accessibility needs
- How often you plan to use the service
- Your emergency contact
- Optional: age, race, gender identity
- If you want to get updates about our programs
- Your personal info is kept private and only used for this program.
8. What am I agreeing to when I use the service?
Before booking rides, you must agree to a waiver that says:
- You are using this voluntarily and for free.
- This is not a commercial rideshare (like Uber or Lyft).
- Rides are not guaranteed.
- You accept any risks that come with riding.
- You will not blame Ensemble Washington for accidents or issues.
- You will act with respect toward drivers and riders.
- Your information will be used only for this program and not shared.
9. Can I bring a guest? Yes, but:
- You are agreeing to the waiver on their behalf too.
- Make sure your guest understands the rules and risks.
10. How can I get help or ask questions?
Email us at: info@ensemblewashington.org Do you have car seats available for children?
- No, we do not provide car seats. However, we are happy to accommodate you if you bring your own car seat and install it yourself before the ride begins.
11. Will the driver wait for me during my appointment or errands?
No, drivers are not able to wait during your stop. If you need a return ride, please submit a separate ride request. We’ll do our best to accommodate it, but return trips are not guaranteed and depend on our schedule and availability.
12. Can I schedule recurring rides (like weekly appointments or classes)?
- Not at this time. Each ride must be requested individually. We may explore recurring ride options in the future, but for now, we aim to keep things fair and equitable for everyone.
- This means your ride may not be accepted if another higher-priority trip
- such as a medical appointment or job interview
- comes up.
13. Is there a limit to how many rides I can request?
- There is no strict limit, but we ask riders to be thoughtful and prioritize essential trips. If you request rides frequently, a team member may reach out to better understand your needs.
-We’ll do our best to accommodate you while making sure the service stays fair and accessible to everyone.