Lyft Expands Transportation Service to Fort Meade

Lyft, the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S., announces it will expand service into Fort Meade, Maryland’s largest employer site, by June 2018. The expansion will provide convenient, affordable transportation options for the 12,000 individuals who live on base, along with more than 40,000 who commute to Fort Meade each day. The announcement celebrates National Military Appreciation Month and Lyft’s commitment to support military service members, veterans and their families.

The goal of the collaboration between Lyft and Fort Meade is to provide better transportation solutions and create economic empowerment opportunities for Maryland drivers, including veterans and those actively serving in the military.

Traditionally, those living on and commuting to military installations such as Fort Meade have fewer transportation options, which limits overall mobility and access. Lyft’s expansion seeks to alleviate these challenges, while also reducing the financial burden of car ownership and offering flexible income earning opportunities.

“We are dedicated to collaborating with the Fort Meade and military service organizations to identify and address innovative solutions to existing transportation barriers, and we believe this expansion will enhance mobility and access to services on and off base for individuals in Maryland,” said Mike Heslin, Baltimore Market Manager for Lyft.

A 2018 Economic Impact Report showed that 11% of Lyft drivers in the greater Baltimore area are veterans of the armed forces, and nationally 26% of drivers have a family member who has served or is currently serving in the military.

“This new service will help Fort Meade's service members, civilians and their family members by providing another safe, reliable, door-to-door transportation option on Fort Meade and in the surrounding community,” said Lt. Col. Allan Floyd, Fort Meade’s Deputy Garrison Commander-Transformation.

Service to Fort Meade coincides with Lyft’s military initiatives nationwide, including Lyft’s service pilot at Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps’ largest west coast expeditionary training facility. Across the U.S., Lyft is offering both transit solutions and economic opportunities for more than 85,000 military and civilian personnel and their families across the U.S. In Baltimore, Lyft announced that the first recipient of its community grant program will be The 6th Branch, a non-profit that harnesses the skills of veterans to execute impactful community service initiatives. Lyft also continues supporting the No One Left Behind and USO Transition Center for Innovation to support military bases and veteran communities across the country.

Lyft is currently recruiting and training drivers who will be specifically certified to provide rides on base at Fort Meade. Only fully vetted and approved Lyft drivers will be given credentials to access the installation to provide rides to those who need them. For more information on service to Fort Meade, visit Lyft’s blog.