Lyft, American Federation of Teachers to Provide Frontline COVID-19 Workers with Access to Discounted Rides in Communities Nationwide

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (April 9, 2020) -- Today, Lyft and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which represents approximately 200,000 nurses and healthcare workers nationwide, announced a new partnership to provide AFT’s frontline COVID-19 healthcare response members access to discounted rides for essential travel during the pandemic. 

Throughout April, Lyft and AFT are supporting the transportation needs of members in locations across the country, including in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington state, Wisconsin and Oregon. Working directly with their local affiliates, members will be able to access a unique rider code issued by AFT for discounted rides on the Lyft platform for essential travel. The codes can be used for rides related to providing essential healthcare services; trips to grocery stores, food banks, and pharmacies; and rides for caregivers delivering needed supplies for homebound and self-isolating individuals such as older adults and those who are immunocompromised. AFT nurses will also be able to access free Citi Bike rides in New York City.

“In a national emergency, we’ll do everything we can to make sure everyone’s health and safety is protected, particularly our frontline healthcare providers, our public employees and other essential workers who are safeguarding the population. Sometimes, this means working with unlikely partners like Lyft to do whatever we need for our communities,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said. “I’m grateful to announce this April partnership with Lyft. If people need rides somewhere, Lyft helps them get there, and now Lyft will offer our members—many of whom are working directly on the frontlines of this crisis—a discount code, so that if they absolutely have to travel, they can do so safely, and hopefully within their budget. These workers take care of us, and now we hope they’ll let us help take care of them.”

“Lyft is proud to stand with the members of AFT who are fighting on the frontlines of this terrible pandemic. It is in times like these where new partnerships can be forged in order to strengthen and protect our communities nationwide,” Lyft Chief Policy Officer Anthony Foxx said. “Together, we will be able to overcome the challenges we face today and emerge stronger than ever.”

The partnership is part of Lyft’s broader LyftUp initiative, the company’s comprehensive effort to expand transportation access to those who need it most during these critical and unprecedented times. In addition to AFT’s partnership, Lyft has activated extensive LyftUp efforts across the country in response to the COVID-19 crisis, collaborating with public health entities, local governments, nonprofits and community organizations to provide access to free rides for vulnerable communities and critical workers, and help deliver essential goods to families and seniors – creating more opportunities for drivers as the same time.

To make sure riders and drivers know the best ways to protect themselves and those around them, Lyft is providing continuous updates on its website. To learn more about how else Lyft is supporting its community during this time, visit its blog.

ABOUT LYFT

Lyft was founded in 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation and is available in all 50 states as well as select cities in Canada. Lyft is committed to effecting positive change for our cities and making cities more livable for everyone through initiatives that bridge transportation gaps, and by promoting transportation equity through shared rides, bikeshare systems, electric scooters, and public transit partnerships.

About AFT

The AFT represents 1.7 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.