City of Lynn to Make Transportation Available to Lynn residents for Essential Services through Lyft During COVID-19

Lynn seniors and individuals with disabilities will receive ride credits to access essential services to support health and safety

Lynn, Massachusetts –The City of Lynn today announced that, in partnership with Lyft and Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS), it will provide access to transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities living in Lynn. The partnership is part of LyftUp, Lyft’s comprehensive effort to expand transportation access to those who need it most.  In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Lyft has activated more than 500 LyftUp partners – including public health entities, local governments, nonprofits and community organizations – to provide free ride credits and free delivery of essential goods for vulnerable communities and critical workers.

Through this initiative, the City of Lynn has joined forces with GLSS to provide access to Lyft ride codes to ensure that vulnerable populations are able to access essential services, such as rides to and from grocery stores or pharmacies, in a reliable and affordable way during the COVID-19 public health emergency. GLSS provides a variety of services and supports promoting consumer health and well-being, and overall community livability, which is why the Lynn Lyft project was a logical partnership, for both GLSS and the City of Lynn.  

“Access to reliable and affordable transportation for our residents, particularly our seniors, has always been a priority for me, said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “The access that Greater Lynn Senior Services and Lyft are teaming up to provide will help meet the crucial mobility needs of our seniors.”

“We want to increase access to transportation for those who need it, particularly to meet their essential needs during this time. By activating LyftUp, we’re able to partner with the city of Lynn and GLSS to fill mobility needs and increase access to essential services for the Lynn community,” said Ben Metcalf, Lyft’s Regional Director for New England. “We’re also grateful to all those who drive with Lyft for helping provide rides for those in need. Lyft will be supporting drivers by creating new opportunities to help them earn additional income through the Lyft app and continuously working to protect their safety.”

Using a code in the Lyft app, Lynn residents will have access to free ride credit up to $50.00 for rides to and from grocery stores, pharmacies, medical providers, employment appointments, or other essential services through August 31. To inquire about a Lyft code, Lynn residents can call GLSS at 781-599-0110 and ask for an Options Counselor.

To make sure riders and drivers know the best ways to protect themselves and those around them, Lyft is providing continuous updates. 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 to 95 percent of the United States population 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 GLSS

GLSS is the non-profit Aging Services Access Point and Area Agency on Aging serving people age 60 and older, adults and children living with disabilities, and their families and caregivers in Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus, Swampscott, and beyond.  For more than 40 years, GLSS has responded to the changing needs of these residents, providing a continuum of community health and social services to help people maintain their independence, safely and with dignity.  In carrying out that mission, GLSS provides a broad range of services, including: information and referral; home care services; nutrition programs; housing supports; clinical and protective services; programs designed to promote consumer engagement and better health and well-being; and a number of new initiatives aimed at creating stronger, more livable communities for all.