Every day, we hear from neighbors who want to move forward but face a challenge many of us take for granted: reliable transportation. A ride to work, a job interview, a doctor’s visit, or the grocery store shouldn’t be out of reach. Yet for many in our community, reliable transportation is a real challenge.
THE TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGE
In Greenville County, public transit often doesn’t go where people need it. Many large employers sit outside the city without nearby bus stops. Without a car, a quick 20-minute drive can become a two-hour trip by bus, if a route exists at all.
Nearly one in five South Carolinians say transportation has kept them from getting or keeping a job. For families already working hard to make ends meet, that barrier can mean missing a job interview, a medical appointment, or an important meeting at school or in court. Reliable transportation is about more than point A to point B. It’s about opportunity, stability, and showing up when it matters most.
INTRODUCING RIDE UNITED
United Way of Greenville County has launched Ride United, a pilot program made possible through a grant from Lyft. The program provides free Lyft rides for Greenville County residents who don’t have adequate transportation to reach essential services.
Through this program, rides are available to help residents access opportunities such as:
- Job interviews and employment-related appointments
- Healthcare services
- Housing services or immediate shelter
- Education or trainings
- Legal appointments
- Food access, including food pantries
How It Works
Call 2-1-1, United Way’s free and confidential resource line.
Our specialists will:
- Confirm eligibility
- Schedule the Lyft ride
- Offer follow-up support to connect you to other resources if needed
Who’s Eligibile
To qualify for a free Lyft ride, you must:
- Be a Greenville County resident, age 18 or older
- Have no adequate alternative transportation
- Have a cell phone that can receive texts
- Need a ride for one of the following approved purposes: employment or job-related services, healthcare appointment, housing or shelter access, legal services, education or training opportunities, food access
Note: This pilot focuses on individual riders and their households rather than group rides or carpools
LOOKING AHEAD
Ride United is a practical step toward connecting people with what they need and understanding the day-to-day barriers they face. As the pilot continues, we’ll use what we learn to shape long-term, sustainable transportation solutions for Greenville County.
Our hope is to build on this effort and expand Ride United so even more neighbors can access the opportunities they deserve.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Allyson Johnson, VP of Marketing & Communications
📧 ajohnson@unitedwaygc.org