Lyft is a transportation company based out of San Francisco, which runs in over 600 cities in the United States and Canada. Although, unlike its competitor Uber, Lyft is trying out something new to help the people in need.
Affordable transportation is a big issue, especially for low-income workers who are starting at new jobs or even people who need to go to an interview to get a new job. Thankfully, Lyft has decided to offer its services for free or reduced costs to those who are pursuing new employment.
About The Program
The company’s “Jobs Access Program” has one primary goal – to help an underserved and overlooked population of people. The people whom they’re focusing on helping live in lower socioeconomic areas and don’t have enough cash to get to and from job interviews and work. The program also aims to pay particular attention to veterans and people with disabilities.
Ashley Helsing, Director of Government Relations at NDSS, said:
There are roughly two million people living with disabilities in the United States. Of those two million, nearly 30 percent, or 560,000 people, are unable to leave their homes because of transportation barriers. The ability to get around easily, especially for employment in the disability community, is crucial to the future.
What Does The Program Offer?
- Lyft will provide transportation to interviews and then returning the passenger home.
- Car rides to and from job training.
- For those who are starting new jobs, Lyft will bring them to and from work during the person’s first three weeks of employment or until the individual receives their first paycheck.
With the help of various partners, including in part, Goodwill, the USO, National Down Syndrome Society, and the United Way, the $50 million program is launching in over 35 cities in the U.S. and Canada. These organizations desire to help unemployment by offering reliable transportation because they believe it could mean the difference between changing a person’s life for the better.
Challenges
While this is a charitable and generous cause, Lyft has its own problems to deal with on the side. The company has lost $463.5 million in the third quarter of 2019, which is double the amount they lost in 2018. Since going public about their money loss, the company has continued to lose money as its stock price has dropped significantly.
Hopefully, its good-will efforts will bring them luck for the future. Lyft also offer free rides to cancer patients after teaming up with the American Cancer Society. Read more by clicking here.
