Lyft has partnered with a local organization in Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Housing Authority to offer $2.50 grocery store rides in disadvantaged Philly communities.
On September 1, Lyft will begin offering $2.50 rides to 1,700 residents living in 11 public housing apartment complexes. Once the program begins, residents will be able to use the ride discount eight times a month, the Philly Inquirer reports.
The ride-sharing company announced the 15 cities it will be adding to its Grocery Access Program in April. Atif Bostic, executive director of the food access nonprofit Uplift Solutions, said the innovative program will benefit those people living in food deserts.
The Lyft app requires a bank account, a smartphone or computer. However, there will be people at various public housing locations to help residents navigate the process.
“We want to assist as many residents as we can,” Nichole Tillman, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Housing Authority, noted.
Other cities included in the program are:
- Atlantic City
- Baltimore
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Columbus
- Detroit
- Indianapolis
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Ottawa
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Portland
- Raleigh-Durham
- Richmond
- Toronto
Currently, Lyft is subsidizing the Philly rides but Bostik hopes other companies will join in to sponsor.