Lyft Aims to Drive Millions of People to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine for Free in New Partnership

Lyft will provide millions of free rides to low-income, uninsured, and those in at-risk communities who are getting vaccinated for the coronavirus, the rideshare company announced Tuesday.

The effort, in partnership with JPMorgan Chase, Anthem Inc., and United Way, is part of their LyftUp initiative, which partners with community organizations to provide services. The goal is to provide 60 million free rides to vaccination sites across the country when vaccines become available.

“Making sure people can get to vaccination sites when they need to is mission critical to beating this virus,” Lyft Co-Founder and President John Zimmer said in a statement. “This is an opportunity to use our collective strength to mobilize on a massive scale and serve our communities. We cannot let lack of transportation be a factor in determining whether people have access to healthcare.”

The universal vaccine access campaign will target at-risk communities who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including those who are being prioritized for early vaccine distribution. Community partners will dole out ride credits to those who need them, according to Lyft.

“Every day a lack of safe and reliable transportation hinders peoples’ ability to access basic needs like good jobs, healthy food and public benefits,” Suzanne McCormick, the president of United Way U.S., said in the statement, adding the campaign “will make getting to and from vaccine appointments as easy as dialing 2-1-1.”

Those who want to donate to the program can do so through United Way.

This is not Lyft’s first effort offering free rides during the pandemic. In March, the company donated tens of thousands of free rides to low-income seniors, as well as doctors and nurses who needed transportation to work. And in New York, the company teamed up with Citi Bike to provide free memberships for a time to healthcare workers and first responders.

During the pandemic, Lyft requires both drivers and riders to wear masks and agree to a Personal Health Certification.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she’s not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.