Considering it takes them 40 minutes to get to work, it's probably around 20 miles for them. Depending on the shift, you can't count on public transportation, if it's preload there's no bus that runs anywhere near 3 am for them to make it in my area. They're also very new so there's probably no one they know that would be willing to pick them up on their way to work as well.
It's definitely easier to get a one time ride than an everyday ride and pickup from a friend if the friend isn't also working there.