Lyft, Augusta partner to lower work transportation barriers

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The city of Augusta and Lyft have partnered to reduce transportation barriers and accelerate job growth and innovation.

In May, Augusta was selected by the Biden-Harris istration as one of five national workforce hubs.

Alongside the Augusta-Richmond County Mayor’s Office, the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area, and Indeed, Lyft will provide funding for rides to and from clean energy and manufacturing jobs as part of the President’s Investing in America agenda.

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“My istration is working collectively to ensure that job seekers and the gainfully employed living in Augusta-Richmond County have access to transportation,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson. “Our collaboration with Lyft is another example of the innovative partnerships that are being developed within the Augusta Workforce Hub and the Biden-Harris Investing in America initiative. We must work together to dismantle barriers that prevent people from succeeding.”

This partnership will job seekers to travel to and from the workplace through the end of December 2023.

“United Way of the CSRA is thrilled to partner with the City of Augusta to offer much-needed free Lyft rides to residents in our community,” said Brittany Burnett, President and CEO of United Way of the CSRA. “A majority of the transportation requests we receive are for rides around employment, including interviews and pre-employment needs. This is a solution that we hope can reduce hurdles and bring more people to employment opportunities in our community.”

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Rides can be requested by ing 211 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lyft says this partnership will strengthen and promote opportunities for thousands of workers.

“Providing transportation access to quality jobs creates a bridge to greater economic opportunity,” said Heather Foster, Senior Director of Global Public Policy at Lyft. “We are pleased to partner with the White House and the city of Augusta to help job seekers in the energy sector have the necessary to travel to and from their workplace.”

For more information, the United Way of the CSRA at 706-724-5544.