Uber, Lyft to offer free rides for veterans to job interviews, work
Popular ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft are set to donate tens of thousands of free trips to veterans of the United States Armed Forces for transportation to work, job interviews and other critical needs.
Officials in Washington D.C. say the move is part of a broader effort by the White House’s Joining Forces initiative to help end homelessness among veterans. The goal is to encourage corporate partners to get involved in the lives of military families in America. Officials for the initiative made the announcement on behalf of the ride-sharing companies on Tuesday.
Uber and Lyft have experienced a rapid rise to the mainstream as the on-demand transportation services they offer in metropolitan areas across the country have become a go-to method of transit in lieu of traditional cabs.
“We have heard time and time again that transportation to and from work and job interviews is often a significant hurdle for homeless veterans trying to find work,” Air Force Col. Nicole Malachowski, Joining Forces executive director, wrote in a statement hailing the announcement.
Malachowski went on to say that veterans working a night shift or who are employed in a remote area of the city may find that public transportation is not a viable option. She points out that limited funding is available for alternatives.
Company officials say the rides will be made available in the coming months and with the help of organizations like the Labor Department’s Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program.
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In addition to the free rides, Uber officials say they plan to allow customers to donate $5 toward additional rides for veterans on Veterans Day via the company’s app.