An 8-year-old with a critical, high temperature required urgent care, but her mother, Regina, lacked reliable transportation. The Ride United program was activated to provide an immediate Lyft code, successfully mitigating a severe barrier to care.
Transportation is a fundamental part of life, yet not everyone has equal access to it. United Way created Ride United in 2018 to address the unmet transportation needs of individuals and families, helping people in need get access critical rides – to food pantries, doctors’ appointments, educational programs, job interviews and housing services. Our partnership with LYFT enables a 2-1-1 caller to request transportation to an essential location and receive a ride for free or at a discounted rate, while the driver is still paid at a normal rate.
Transportation access through Ride United is managed seamlessly via the 211 helpline. Individuals seeking transportation for essential needs—like medical appointments, job interviews, or access to food—simply call 211. The specialist first verifies if other local options are available. If not, they instantly arrange and dispatch a free or subsidized Lyft ride. The rider receives a text alert when the Lyft is en route, ensuring safe and reliable travel to their destination.
The free Ride United service is available only to residents of Poughkeepsie and Newburgh who are 18 or older (a guardian or caseworker must be accompany minors). All riders must have the Lyft app downloaded, and those with young children are required to provide their own car seat. The program offers a maximum of one round-trip per person to a single location, with each one-way trip capped at $25. Rides can be scheduled during business hours (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Note that recurring appointments cannot be scheduled.
To access the Ride United program, individuals can fill out an application directly on the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region's website at uwdor.org/rideunited. Once approved, a LYFT code will be provided to the applicant. Complete information on this essential transportation service, along with a complete list of all United Way programs, is available at uwdor.org.