Affording gas or bus fare is difficult when you first start a job. Many places don’t pay until about three weeks in, so you’re forced to figure something out until payday. Lyft has begun it’s Jobs Access Program offering free rides to job interviews.
Lyft’s Job Access Program
Getting a job can be a long process with a few denials along the way. Sometimes, finding a reliable source of transportation, or even afford one, is difficult. Then, once you get a job, you don’t get paid for a few weeks.
According to a post on Lyft’s blog, the program is a nationwide initiative to give people access to transportation they may not otherwise have. The Job Access Program “aims to close short-term transportation gaps related to employment access and job training.” This means that Lyft is offering free rides to and from job interviews and job training. Plus, Lyft is offering free rides to and from new jobs for the first three weeks.
“We are focused on communities that stand to benefit most from short-term transportation support, ranging from veterans to individuals with disabilities,” said the blog post. “Our nonprofit partners will play a vital role of connecting individuals in need with Lyft rides in 35+ markets across the U.S. and Canada.”
Lyft’s Commitment to Those in Need
The Job Access Program is a part of Lyft’s plan to help low-income individuals. CNN states even though unemployment is currently at the lowest point since 1969, people are getting hired at a slower rate than last year. Plus, Lyft’s own study showed that 44% of its rides start or end in a low-income area.
To help combat this, Lyft has teamed up with a number of different organizations for its job access program. Goodwill, the National Down Syndrome Society, and more are all teaming up with Lyft to help them get jobs to lead better lives. This can be especially helpful to people who don’t have the money for other forms of transportation. Plus, there are some metropolitan areas without access to public transportation. And if you live near public transportation you know how unreliable it can be.
The blog post also quoted the Senior Vice President of Impact at United Way Worldwide, Alicia Lara, who said “United Way believes that people of all ages and abilities should have an opportunity to improve their economic status through employment.” By working with Lyft, all these companies are effecting change that benefits people in more ways than one.
This isn’t the first time Lyft has made efforts toward inclusion. Earlier this year, it gave riders the option of different pronouns in the app. Just in time for Pride Month, the company debuted a bunch of new features for LGBTQ+ people. In addition to pronouns, it gave options to change names for transgender riders and drivers and collaborated on pride events all over the world.
Round Up & Donate
If you’d like to help, Lyft suggests that you donate to its partners through it’s Round Up & Donate Program. The program allows riders to round up their ride payment to the nearest dollar. The difference gets donated to a cause the rider chooses. There are 16 causes to choose from.
