To make it convenient to receive a COVID-19 vaccine shot, Lyft and Uber are going to provide free rides to and from vaccination sites until July 4.
The effort is a partnership with the Biden administration, which is aiming to get at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot into 70% of the US adult population by the Independence Day holiday.
“As part of this historic commitment, Lyft and Uber will promote rides to and from tens of thousands of vaccination sites through their apps,” the White House announced on Tuesday. “People will be able to simply select a vaccination site near them, follow simple directions to redeem their ride, and then get a ride to take them to and from a nearby vaccination site free of charge.”
US residents can expect the free rides on Lyft and Uber to begin arriving in the next two weeks.
“By May 24, riders will be able to get their ride code directly through the Lyft app or website,” Lyft said in its own announcement. That said, the ride may not be completely free, depending on the distance to the vaccination site.
“After providing a few details, users will receive a code they can use to get rides to and from a vaccination site near them. Ride codes will cover $15 each way, which based on previous rides given to vaccination sites, we expect to cover most, if not all, of riders’ fares,” Lyft added.
In addition to a rideshare, the $15 codes from Lyft can also be used for bike or scooter rides during standard pharmacy operating hours (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
So far Uber hasn’t provided more details to its own program. The company’s CEO has only said: “Vaccines are our best hope to beat this pandemic and soon everyone in America will be able to take a free Uber to get their shot.”
Who is providing the funding for the free rides remains unclear. But later on Tuesday, President Biden is scheduled to join a bipartisan group of US governors to discuss the ways they’ve been encouraging residents to get vaccinated. During the event, the president plans on announcing more funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support “on-the-ground efforts” promoting vaccinations, the White House said.
