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United Way 2-1-1 proposes Lyft rides pilot for Fayette County residents, to start in June
Summary
United Way’s 2-1-1 director told the Lexington City council the nonprofit plans a six-month Lyft concierge rides pilot beginning in June to help residents reach jobs and services; the program will use 2-1-1 outreach and hire a dedicated staffer to manage bookings.
Whitney Fields, director of United Way’s 2-1-1 service, told the Lexington City council on May 5 that the organization plans to launch a six-month pilot in June to expand rides for Fayette County residents using Lyft’s concierge portal.
Fields said 2-1-1 is a 24/7 call center that connects callers to services and that the pilot would extend from basic-needs trips to more social-determinants-of-health rides. The pilot will rely on Lyft’s concierge portal, will be marketed through 2-1-1 channels and partner materials, and will include hiring a dedicated staffer to handle bookings and program administration, Fields said.
Council members asked operational questions. Council member Baxter asked whether services stop during severe-weather events; Fields said driver availability depends on contractors but that 2-1-1 agents staff calls from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday with off-hours coverage and can modify service parameters for the pilot.
Fields said the program currently partners with Lyft and a worldwide partner network to provide rides across Fayette County and that outreach will use social media, waypoints and existing 2-1-1 materials. No contract details, budget totals, or precise eligibility rules were provided in the meeting record.
The council did not record further debate and approved the related new-business action by voice vote during the session.
