Not having access to a vehicle is a major hardship — particularly if you live in a transit-poor area or lack the funds to request a ride through an app.
No one wants to miss a doctor’s appointment or job interview because they can’t get there.
To help address this challenge, Lyft has collaborated with United Way to offer complimentary rides to those in need across 12 cities. People seeking rides can simply reach out to 2-1-1, a no-cost, confidential referral line run by United Way that provides round-the-clock information and connections to essential services.
The free Lyft rides are currently available to residents in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Milwaukee, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Francisco.
The initiative is enabled through Lyft’s Lyft Relief Rides program, which supplies no-cost transportation for people facing crises. These free rides are provided on a one-time basis to transport individuals to and from nonemergency medical visits, veterans’ services, job interviews and other employment-related stops.
Mary Sellers, the U.S. president for United Way Worldwide, told Savinly Readers that 2-1-1 will try to assist those who require transportation more than once. Still, the free Lyft ride program is not intended for people who need daily or regular transit.
Sellers noted transportation help is one of the most common unmet needs reported to the helpline. Last year, one in five of the more than 250,000 transportation requests 2-1-1 received could not be fulfilled with available resources.
“By partnering with Lyft, we’re better positioned to address community needs by helping people reach the services they require,” Sellers said in a press statement.
Lyft recently pledged $1.5 million to support its Lyft Relief Rides program.
United Way says the collaboration with Lyft could grow to include more cities if the pilot proves effective in these 12 locations.
Nicole Davis is a staff reporter at Savinly.
