Lyft has launched a job access program in 35+ cities. Basically the program provides free/discounted rides in these cities for the following purposes:
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Rides to/from job training programs
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Rides to/from job interviews
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Rides to/from the first three weeks of employment, until individuals receive their first paycheck and begin to pay for their own transportation
It’s not immediately clear how to apply for the benefits of this program or what cities are included, it looks like Lyft has partnered with a number of national partners and the program is actually administered by these programs:
Whenever we see companies roll out programs like it’s inevitably followed by people saying the only reason they are doing it is for positive press. Personally I really don’t care why they are doing it, just the fact they are doing it. I consider myself very lucky that I’ve never had to worry about things like transport to job interviews and a new job and think it’s great that Lyft is working on helping those who do.
so how can we access it then?
Call 211 and ask for free lyft ride. These partnership companies book the ride on your behalf. Available in 15 cities by the end of the year
If I join Lyft as a driver would I still get free rides for the first 3 weeks of joining?
I’m not sure if it’s the same as this, but I am going to an interview for a large tech company and I can easily get there using a variety of means, but the company says it has partnered with Lyft to offer rides to and from the interview. So while Lyft may be touting the charity partners, this may actually be a for-profit service they’re offering to employers as well. I’ve never had a company offer it before.
Probably a combination of the two. Wouldn’t be surprised if corporations were signing up for this to help fund it for those without the funds.
I work with a population of men that are starting over in life typically with no money, no job, no transportation of their own, and little to no social support. We introduce them to means and ways of starting over and I think this program would be a wonderful opportunity to share with them. Sometimes for this population of men, finding work can be difficult but once they do, making sure they are there on time and able to show up consistently (the bus system is not always flawless) is crucial into the advancement of their lives. Once they get that first check, they typically already owe a portion of it to housing which has allowed them to move in on the notion that they will look for work and be able to pay in a month or two. Some may become reliant on the convenience of Lyft but most will adapt and look for alternatives after they are no longer able to take advantage of the benefit Lyft is offering as it is expensive.
Is this going to be some sort of welfare/means-tested thing?
I assume that’s why they have partnered with those organizations
I don’t understand why you feel this to be such a positive. All these venture-backed companies don’t make any profit, pay their own contractors gubers, and often pray on lower income people who cannot do the math on the actual costs of either driving for Uber/Lyft, or using it as a transportation option.
Make no mistake, this programme is meant to make it easy for people living paycheck to paycheck to continue doing irresponsible things with their finances. After you’ve been doing this for 3 weeks, will you go back to riding your bike to work, or using the public transport, or is paying a grand or two and 30% of your salary for having a personal сhauffeur would suddenly seem reasonable?
You’re looking at this purely from a negative point of view and assuming that people are too stupid to move to alternative forms of transport after taking advantage of this program. In some (read: a lot) of cases public transport and riding a bike isn’t an option. This program is helpful to people seeking employment and to say otherwise is disingenuous
I want to agree with you Will but I think he’s probably right. A lot of America really IS too stupid to stop using after they get a job. That’s why most Americans have next to no retirement savings.
People like to act like they care about getting their life together and finding a job but transport to the interview isn’t the dealbreaker — if they don’t have jobs then hop a bus and get there early. No public transport? Then sounds like it’s time to move.
Realistically Lyft will take the positive headlines and if they help people, great, if not, more riders for them. Wouldn’t be surprised if they get a side payment or tax credit for offering the program either.
I finally landed a job, but now I’ve got to give it up and move because there is no public transportation in my community? Good thing reloating is free, otherwise that would be a silly suggestion.
This is pre-job… Obviously if you’ve got the job then you’ve figured out how to get there while still making money.
If you don’t have a job or enough money to interview then you can’t have much stuff and if you want a real chance at life you’d better figure out how to move
Your telling somebody without a job to move, I don’t think that’s terribly realistic for most people
I don’t understand why you wasted your time writing a 2 paragraph rant for something that doesn’t affect you one iota.
Likewise?
Let’s see the orangutan with the twitter make any donations to charity. The orangutan just tweets how great he is.
Note this post is not political. If it reminds you of some orangutan it is not my fault. It is that orangutan’s fault.
This is some advanced stupid right here
When Lyft or your orangutan take credit for making donations to charity it may also give awareness of those charities and their cause. Some prefer to contribute anonymously, but a lot of nonprofits welcome the free press.
Some of your orangutan’s favorites include: NPS/DOI, ED, HHS, DOT, NIAAA/NIH, VA, ASPCA, Habitat for Humanity, Reach Out America, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Samaritan’s Purse, amoung many others.