Ride-share behemoths Uber and Lyft have introduced a new initiative that’s looking to lend veterans a hand in getting to where they need to go.
The two companies revealed their plan on Tuesday (the day before Veterans Day) with the offer of tens of thousands of free trips for veterans that would like to use the service to get to job interviews and fulfill other critical needs. Military Times reports that this unlikely alliance is part of team-up with the White House’s Joining Forces initiative. The overall goal is to help reduce the number of homeless vets in the country and provide opportunities to assist military families.
Joining Forces executive director Air Force Col. Nicole Malachowski noted that effective travel options can be a significant issue for veterans fighting for employment:
“We have heard time and time again that transportation to and from work and job interviews is often a significant hurdle for homeless veterans trying to find work.
“If a veteran is working a night shift or employed in a remote area of a city, public transportation is not always a viable option, and there is limited funding available for alternative transportation.”
According to company officials, the “donated” rides will become an option in the coming months.
Uber is also offering the option of donating $5 on Veterans Day “towards a ride for a veteran experiencing homelessness.”
Donate to veterans experiencing homelessness and give back to those who have given so much: https://t.co/c9zMvR9bhC pic.twitter.com/YYYg3bxktG
— Uber (@Uber) November 11, 2015
(via Military Times)