This first of its kind partnership will support multi-modal transportation efforts in Baltimore City

BALTIMORE, MD (February 15, 2018) — Today, Mayor Catherine Pugh was joined by Department of Transportation Director Michelle Pourciau and Lyft’s Baltimore Market Manager Mike Heslin to announce a multi-year partnership that will create co-located transportation hubs in the city.  Lyft, the fastest growing on-demand transportation company in the U.S., has collaborated with the city to centralize Baltimore Bike Share stations with designated Lyft pickup and drop-off zones.  These transportation hubs will make connecting with Lyft and other multimodal transit options easier and more efficient.

“This progressive agreement underscores our collective mission to support more accessible, convenient and reliable transportation systems across the city,” said Mayor Catherine Pugh.  “This public-private partnership will help the city thrive by providing more sustainable mobility options.”

The partnership is the first-of-its-kind for Lyft, following other successful partnerships with city governments and organizations around the country.  Baltimore’s evolving multimodal transportation infrastructure along with partnership-minded city leadership makes this an ideal initiative.  These new transportation hubs will create a system based on access where individuals can choose a mode of transportation that is best for them at any given time.

“Lyft’s partnership supports the growth and sustainability of the system infrastructure throughout Baltimore City,” said Michelle Pourciau, Baltimore City Department of Transportation Director. “This unique collaboration helps to address traffic congestion in Baltimore and represents our commitment for a multimodal city with fewer vehicles on the roadways.”

The three-year partnership will include five co-located stations and an in-app experience to guide Lyft riders and bike share members to designated pick up zones in high-traffic areas.  The co-located stations were selected based on transit destinations and popular attractions.  Stations include: the Baltimore Visitor Center, National Aquarium, Shot Tower Metro, Harbor East and Hopkins Place.

“Lyft was founded with the mission to reduce individual car ownership and to redesign cities around people, not cars.  These co-located stations will make it easier for people to get around Baltimore more efficiently,” said Mike Heslin, Lyft’s Baltimore Market Manager.  “Whether someone is taking a Lyft ride into the city from the suburbs and hopping on a bike around downtown, or taking a bike to one of these hubs and meeting a Lyft driver for a trip to the other side of town, the multimodal transportation future is very bright for Baltimore.”

To kick-off the partnership, both rideshare companies are announcing special promotions and discounts for users. Lyft passengers can use code BBS2018 to get 50% off - up to 2 rides to or from any of the stations included in this partnership between now and February 28, 2018.  Individuals will also be able to redeem promotional code Lyft within the Bike Share app for a free 1-month bike share membership. (To access, riders should register for a monthly membership then enter promo code Lyft at checkout.)

About Baltimore Bike Share

The Baltimore Bike Share program provides citizens with convenient, on-demand access to bicycles for short distance trips in the city.  Baltimore’s program includes both standard and electric pedelec bikes.  ‘Pedelec’ bikes are integrated with small electric motors that automatically assist the rider when pedaled.  These bikes use rechargeable batteries and travel at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.

Baltimore Bike Share recently celebrated its one year anniversary and has received tremendous support from businesses, organizations and biking advocates.  Since November 2017, Baltimore Bikes Share has nearly doubled in size.  Now, with over 40 stations, nearly 11,000 users have ridden almost 60,000 miles.

About Lyft

Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to improve people’s lives with the world’s best transportation.  Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S. and is available to 95 percent of the US population and Toronto, Canada.  Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience, and its commitment to effecting positive change for the future of our cities.