Transportation for all
Millions of people lack access to basic needs because they can’t get a ride.
Through our LyftUp initiative, we’re working to make sure everyone has access to affordable, reliable transportation to get where they need to go — no matter their age, income, zip, or postal code.
LATEST UPDATES
Helping more people get to the polls
During the last presidential election, it’s estimated that more than 15 million eligible voters didn’t go to the polls in large part because they didn’t have a way to get there. This year, we’re expanding the work we began in 2018 to offer access to even more free and discounted rides to the polls. For the first time, we’ll be providing access to free and discounted bike and scooter rides, too.
Explore our LyftUp ride access programs
ACCESS ALLIANCE
Creating a path to new beginnings
Through the LyftUp Access Alliance, we’re providing access to rides that’ll help underserved communities of color reach essential resources and services. As a part of this initiative, we’re joining forces with impact-driven organizations like My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, National Urban League, Black Women’s Roundtable, and more.
DISASTER RESPONSE
Providing relief in the aftermath
Natural disasters strike hardest at low-income communities. We team up with local organizations and first responders to provide rides to help those in need access urgent services, shelter, and other critical resources.
Emergency relief
We covered all Lyft rides to evacuation centers during 2017’s Hurricane Harvey.
Disaster recovery
We provided free rides to and from temporary housing when thousands lost their homes in California’s Camp Fire in 2018.
Community support
We provided free rides to blood donation centers after the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017.
JOBS ACCESS
Getting people to work
The difference between landing a job and a lost opportunity often comes down to a ride. When the economic recovery begins, we’ll be ready to provide free Lyft car rides to and from job training programs, interviews, and the first three weeks of new employment to give unemployed individuals a fairer chance at success.
Inadequate transportation is a barrier to employment opportunities and economic advancement for millions of Americans.
Source: Harvard University
VOTING ACCESS
Helping people get to the polls
During the last presidential election, it’s estimated that more than 15 million eligible voters didn’t go to the polls because they didn’t have a way to get there. This year, we’ll be offering free rides to the general election through a number of nonprofit partners.
BIKESHARE ACCESS
Connecting every neighborhood
We recently partnered with LeBron James and his athlete empowerment company, Uninterrupted, to help empower young people and connect communities in need through bikeshare access. We’re also working to bring more bikeshare docks to lower-income neighborhoods so that everyone can access the benefits of bikeshare. Anyone enrolled in or qualifying for state or federal assistance programs can apply for a significantly reduced-cost bikeshare membership.
GROCERY ACCESS
Making healthy food accessible
Approximately 23.5 million people in the US live in neighborhoods without access to fresh, healthy food¹. Nearly half of them live on low incomes. Making the trek to a grocery store across town isn’t always an option. We offer discounted Lyft car rides to low-income families and seniors heading to and from grocery stores, farmers markets, food pantries, and SNAP benefits appointments.
¹Source: USDA Economic Research Service
Food access in Washington, DC
Florestine Jones lives In Washington, DC’s Ward 8, where one full-service grocery store serves 80,085 residents. (Ward 3, meanwhile, has nine grocery stores for 84,274 residents.)
*Source: DCHealthMatters.org, OpenData.DC.gov
We help Ward 8 residents get rides to fresh, healthy food
In Washington DC’s Ward 3, where the average household income is $136,832, average life expectancy is 85.1 years. In Ward 8, where the average household income is $34,824, the average life expectancy is 70.2 years.
Source: DCHealthMatters.org,
DC Community Health Assessment, Volume 1, DC Department of Health
“That’s why I’m still around.”
“Because when I grew up, I had beans and greens. Nothing frozen. Everything came from the ground.”
— Florestine Jones, 78, Washington, DC
LYFTUP COMMUNITY GRANTS
Supporting local organizations
Transportation access can be a big help for grassroots organizations that address our most important urban challenges. We support them with LyftUp Community Grants of up to $20,000 in free or discounted rides. Some of our LyftUp Community Grant recipients include the Museum of Jewish Heritage, National Mental Health Association of Georgia, and Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.
We award over $500,000 in ride credit annually to small, grassroots organizations that are helping close transportation gaps in their communities. Apply.
Making big change with your small change
Everyone can help us bring affordable, reliable transportation to all. Join LyftUp by choosing an orgnaization to donate to in the app — we'll round up the cost of your ride to the nearest dollar and donate the difference.