Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Lyft to Provide Free Rides to Veterans, Low-Income Individuals

The ride-hailing company said it will be committing $1.5 million to its Relief Ride program which has provided free transportation to victims of natural disasters in the past.

May 2, 2018
Lyft to Provide Free Rides to Veterans, Low-Income Individuals

Photo: Lyft

Photo via Lyft.

1 min to read


Lyft announced today that it will be expanding its Relief Ride program and will be committing $1.5 million to the program during the next year.

In the past, the service was used during times of natural disasters, most recently during hurricane season and the California wildfires, to help residents evacuate and reach shelters and hospitals. After the Las Vegas shooting in October, Lyft gave free rides to blood donation centers.

Ad Loading...

Now, Relief Ride will also be made available to returning veterans and low-income persons who are in need of transportation to places such as job interviews or doctor’s appointments.

Lyft previously announced a partnership with the group No One Left Behind to provide interpreters who worked with U.S. military in the Middle East discounted transportation and support services as the drive for the ride-hailing company. The pilot program, launched in January, also provided interpreters in the U.S. on special immigrant visas access to Express Drive, a Lyft program that lets drivers earn free car rentals for driving a certain number of hours a week on the platform.

Similarly, Lyft partnered with Caritas of Austin to pilot a program that provided thousands of dollars in free rides to the charity’s clients to reach classes and doctor’s appointments.


Related: All Future Rides to Be Carbon Neutral, Lyft Says



More Rental Operations

A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A tech collage of electronic devices against a computer chip blueprint map.
Rental OperationsMay 1, 2026

Why Car Rental Can No Longer Run On Workarounds

The shift from branch-based software to connected operations is turning rental technology into strategic infrastructure.

Read More →
A black Audi SUV superimposed on a historic scene from downtown Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Carwiz Sets Up Rental Operations In Central Asia

The global franchise operation reaches a first in its rental fleet portfolio with new service in Uzbekistan.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A raging brushfire in the countryside.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 30, 2026

Where Rental Fleets Must Adjust To Shifting Catastrophe Risks

West Coast disasters pose unique challenges and liabilities for rental fleet operators, who are advised to take steps tailored to their specific situations.

Read More →
ARN Industry Newsmakers thumbnail page with ARN and ICRS logos and shots of Nick DiPrima and Martin Romjue
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueApril 27, 2026

Using AI To Find Rental Car Damage

Angry car renters are storming social media, the mainstream media, and online ratings platforms to complain about charges they claim are either unfounded or excessive.

Read More →
Photo of CEO Krešimir Dobrilović against a gray modernist crooked-tile mural display.

Carwiz Opens Car Rental Service In Panama

A Carwiz partner in Puerto Rico is taking on the Panama franchise with operations in the nation's largest airport.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A world map with Flexways logo and new locations headline.

Flexways Opens 10 Locations Among Franchise, Affiliate Rental Networks

The integrated business model combines each operator’s local expertise with international standards to boost sales.

Read More →
Photo of a suitcase, passport, and smartphone.

Traveler Customer Satisfaction Up This Year Data Study Shows

The study looks at customer analytics to size up performance in car rentals, rideshare, airlines, lodging, and OTAs.

Read More →
A rental car between two placards showing a symbolic revenue increase from $300 to $1600.

New Consulting Company Ready To Boost Point-of-Sale Revenue

Revcuity, an outgrowth of Frontline Performance Group, aims to help clients capture more revenue moments with face-to-face customers, including in the car rental space.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Martin Romjue stands at conference stage podium close to a dangling, glistening chandelier.
Rental Operationsby StaffApril 15, 2026

Meet The (Semi-New) ARN Editor

Martin Romjue has been editing and reporting for ARN since 2023 and fully transitioned to the role of chairman of the International Car Rental Show in 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...