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Uber, Lyft, Zipcar Offer Free Or Discounted Rides To Polls On Election Day (consumerist.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the point-A-to-point-B dept.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Consumerist: Lyft, Uber, Zipcar, and Maven have unveiled a variety of discounts and promotions aimed at enabling voters to get to the polls on Tuesday. The ride-hailing service [Uber] has teamed up with Google to create an in-app feature that aims to assist voters in locating their poling place and then getting there. "Given the important decision people around the country will make on November 8th, we wanted to make getting to and from your polling place easier than ever," the company notes in a blog post on the feature. Uber will be promoting the offer throughout Election Day with reminder alerts to users. Select Lyft users will receive 45% off their Election Day trip to the polls, The Verge reports, noting that getting back from your polling place will cost full price. The company said it would send emails Sunday night to customers in eligible areas, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Orleans, Nashville, New York City and New Jersey, Orange County, CA, Philadelphia, Portland, OR, Phoenix, Raleigh, NC, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. If you're determined to drive yourself to the polls, but don't have a car, Zipcar is offering members an alternative: a free rental. The service will make more than 7,000 cars available for free between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday. During that time, members of the service can reserve a free car through the company's app or website. Maven -- the ride-sharing business from General Motors -- will offer riders $5 off all day, a spokesperson tells The Detroit Free press.

65 comments

  1. Free Rides! by ADRA · · Score: 2

    But since you're black, the drivers won't pick you up anyway (runs from the room screeming)!

    --
    Bye!
    1. Re:Free Rides! by smooth+wombat · · Score: 2

      Drivers? I thought these people were simply sharing rides.

      You mean Uber and Lyft are cab companies because you're contacting them to have one of their drivers come pick you up to take you to the destination of your choice, independent from where the driver was going? Unpossible!

      --
      We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
    2. Re:Free Rides! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh good grief.

      They are NOT cab companies. They do not own cars, they do not hire drivers.

      Drivers are independent contractors, who decide when or if they are going to work, drive their own cars, and choose whether they will accept a rider or not.

      I work in IT, and I drive part time for Uber for a bit of extra money (and because I like driving). It's not even a job for me, it's goofing off.

    3. Re: Free Rides! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Horseshit, it's a taxi service, look it up in a dictionary. You're not sharing anything, they call you, you show up, they get in, you drive them where they want to go, they pay you. Taxi.

    4. Re:Free Rides! by 110010001000 · · Score: 1

      Notice the cab companies aren't offering anything. Fuck the cab companies.

    5. Re:Free Rides! by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 1

      Are they aware that Portland OR only has ballot drop offs, not polling places?

      --
      SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
    6. Re:Free Rides! by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 1

      "Drivers are independent contractors"

      Except in England, where it was recently declared that they were all employees.

      --
      SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
  2. Only D strongholds! by HornWumpus · · Score: 0

    Seeing as they are only doing this in Democrat strongholds, I feel justified wasting their time with a script that will post fake ride requests all day long.

    Only problem will be that every request will be from a brand new user.

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    1. Re:Only D strongholds! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Look, having nuclear—my uncle was a great professor and scientist and engineer, Dr. John Trump at MIT; good genes, very good genes, OK, very smart, the Wharton School of Finance, very good, very smart—you know, if you’re a conservative Republican, if I were a liberal, if, like, OK, if I ran as a liberal Democrat, they would say I'm one of the smartest people anywhere in the world—it’s true!—but when you're a conservative Republican they try—oh, do they do a number—that’s why I always start off: Went to Wharton, was a good student, went there, went there, did this, built a fortune—you know I have to give my like credentials all the time, because we’re a little disadvantaged—but you look at the nuclear deal, the thing that really bothers me—it would have been so easy, and it’s not as important as these lives are (nuclear is powerful; my uncle explained that to me many, many years ago, the power and that was 35 years ago; he would explain the power of what's going to happen and he was right—who would have thought?), but when you look at what's going on with the four prisoners—now it used to be three, now it’s four—but when it was three and even now, I would have said it's all in the messenger; fellas, and it is fellas because, you know, they don't, they haven’t figured that the women are smarter right now than the men, so, you know, it’s gonna take them about another 150 years—but the Persians are great negotiators, the Iranians are great negotiators, so, and they, they just killed, they just killed us.

    2. Re:Only D strongholds! by Xenographic · · Score: 0, Troll

      Don't, just vote. Leave cheating to the Democrats.

    3. Re:Only D strongholds! by demonlapin · · Score: 1

      Phoenix, Dallas, and Orange County are on the list, but since there's not a lot of question how those states will go, it's unlikely to change much. They're aiming for MI, NC, FL, and PA.

    4. Re:Only D strongholds! by Dutch+Gun · · Score: 1, Insightful

      Well, to be fair, just about any big city is a Democrat stronghold. So, yeah, I guess? Not too surprising, as it seems like many tech millionaires lean to the left.

      You should see who my neighbors in Seattle keep electing. It's pretty entertaining to see left-leaning Democrats on the city council being berated by hard-core Socialists also on the council for not being liberal enough. Did you know they actually spend city money to paint crosswalks in rainbow colors? Hooray, right?! Yet a lot of Seattleites still can't get decent internet, largely because of local laws, bureaucracy, and corporate foot-dragging. Seriously, in Seattle. Rather entertaining to watch from a slight distance, so long as I don't have to actually live in the city itself!

      --
      Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.
    5. Re:Only D strongholds! by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 1

      Thank you for that mental picture of Donald Trump as the Professor from Futurama (or Grandpa Simpson)

      --
      SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
  3. free one-way ticket by turkeydance · · Score: 1

    but you'll pay for the return trip for four years

    1. Re: free one-way ticket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

      Yes, you will pay if you vote for Hillary. She is the most corrupt candidate ever to run for President.

    2. Re: free one-way ticket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, you will pay if you vote for Hillary. She is the most corrupt candidate ever to run for President.

      Closely followed by Trump.

      I feel sorry for you guys, you're fucked either way.

    3. Re: free one-way ticket by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      I feel sorry for you guys, you're fucked either way.

      Nah, we'll be fine. We'll still be ready to come save your ass the next time you're attacked.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    4. Re: free one-way ticket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We'll still be ready to come save your ass the next time you're attacked.

      Please don't.

      You guys are AWFUL at that sort of thing, the rest of the world facepalms when you guys decide to 'save someone'.

      Do everyone a favor and just keep your meddling to yourselves, it is much more ammusing like this.

    5. Re: free one-way ticket by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      You guys are AWFUL at that sort of thing, the rest of the world facepalms when you guys decide to 'save someone'.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    6. Re: free one-way ticket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Remember, in that conflict you also fucked over your allies BEFORE and then again AFTER the conflict. On top of that the US PROFITED from that war much to everyone else's chagrin.

      Now have a look at every conflict you guys 'helped out in' since, here is a bit of a list for you-

      Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War (The First), Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq War (Part 2, or the hunt for "WMD's").

      EVERY TIME you guys have made things WORSE so yeah, please stop 'saving us' we don't want your 'help'.

    7. Re: free one-way ticket by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      EVERY TIME you guys have made things WORSE so yeah, please stop 'saving us' we don't want your 'help'.

      You say that until you need our help.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    8. Re: free one-way ticket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Arrogance.

      No one is asking, and you keep 'helping'.

    9. Re: free one-way ticket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, we also got criticized a LOT in the foreign press for not helping in Syria. Since you guys will bitch at us either way, we may as well do what we want.

    10. Re: free one-way ticket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      No, you got criticised for CREATING the problem in Syria (by botching up another of your 'help').

      Don't you get it? If the US did not create these problems by 'helping' there would be no need for any further 'helping' (and basicly botching). Everything you guys do these days turns to custard because of inept 'we helping'. Sadam loved the help that he got in the 80's, Bin Ladin loved the help he got for the CIA. The Iran shah's love the help they get.

      Please, stop helping.

    11. Re: free one-way ticket by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, you got criticised for CREATING the problem in Syria (by botching up another of your 'help').

      Don't you get it? If the US did not create these problems by 'helping' there would be no need for any further 'helping' (and basicly botching). Everything you guys do these days turns to custard because of inept 'we helping'. Sadam loved the help that he got in the 80's, Bin Ladin loved the help he got for the CIA. The Iran shah's love the help they get.

      Please, stop helping.

    12. Re: free one-way ticket by dave420 · · Score: 1

      Most of the troops were not American, and the vast majority of the shipping used to convey the troops to the shore was also not American. That might have something to do with it.

  4. Who gets the discounts? by penguinoid · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Select users will receive 45% off their Election Day trip to the polls

    The ones in the demographics likely to vote for the right candidate?

    --
    Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
    1. Re:Who gets the discounts? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Let's hope so.

      (The right candidate is Hillary. This country and the world cannot afford a Drumpf presidency.)

    2. Re:Who gets the discounts? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > This country and the world cannot afford a Drumpf presidency.

      It's survived worse. Don't kid yourself.

    3. Re:Who gets the discounts? by penguinoid · · Score: 1

      The right candidate is Hillary.

      And do you think that's what these "ride share" companies will believe?

      --
      Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
    4. Re:Who gets the discounts? by WallyL · · Score: 1

      Yes. Frankly, it's a tough call either way for the United States, but I definitely expect Uber, Lyft, and the like to prefer Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump.

  5. Wrong Direction. by PessimysticRaven · · Score: 1

    What they should do is offer free rides from bars. That's where most of the voters will be.

    --
    Consistency is only a virtue if you're not a screw-up.
    1. Re:Wrong Direction. by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      What they should do is offer free rides from bars. That's where most of the voters will be.

      This is a relatively recent development in parts of the US. Used to be, lots of states had laws that bars had to close on Election Day. Now, it's just Kentucky and South Carolina, where it really doesn't matter because everyone there has a still cooking 'shine out behind the meth lab.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    2. Re:Wrong Direction. by h33t+l4x0r · · Score: 1

      And then if Trump wins, how about free rides to Canada?

    3. Re:Wrong Direction. by markdavis · · Score: 1

      >"And then if Trump wins, how about free rides to Canada?"

      That would be perfect, since you can throw away your Constitutional rights by going there just like you wanted to here!

  6. 4 more years for Obama by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    the only sane option

  7. Biased choice of cities? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Is it me, or does that list look like highly Democratic leaning cities? This smells more of a get out the Democrat vote effort than any sort of noble cause to just increase voter turnout overall.

  8. Bias by manu0601 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Let me guess: the eligible areas have been selected because a higher voter turnout there favors a given candidate over the other one?

    1. Re:Bias by h33t+l4x0r · · Score: 3, Interesting

      If there was a liberal agenda, the areas would be swing state inner cities, not places that are already locked-in. This is maybe just good PR.

    2. Re:Bias by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We all sent in our mail-in ballots last week In my liberal neighborhood.

      The choice was between an awkward lady and World War 3.

    3. Re:Bias by Gavagai80 · · Score: 1

      There's a lot more than the president on the line. Every vote matters in state elections. That said, of course they'll run the promotion in the areas with the highest population density because that's how their business works... and it so happens that places with high population density are democratic.

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      This space intentionally left blank
    4. Re:Bias by GNious · · Score: 1

      Curious: Is there already a bias in who would avail them of this offer?
        - Younger people ?
        - Lower income ?
        - .... ?
      And, of cause, do any of these group lean more towards one candidate or another?

    5. Re:Bias by manu0601 · · Score: 1

      The choice was between an awkward lady and World War 3

      I thought the awkward lady wanted more wars

  9. This is a blatant violation of federal law. by Whatsisname · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When will see the gypsy cab companies' leadership go to prison for breaking the law, including 18 U.S. Code 597:

    Whoever makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate; and

    Whoever solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure in consideration of his vote or the withholding of his vote—

    Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

    I'm pretty sure this activity is a blatant violation of this law, but it's not like we'll ever see it enforced because APPS.

    1. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by demonlapin · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Given that there are all manner of free "go vote" shuttles provided every election season, I'm pretty sure that giving someone a ride straight to or from the polling place isn't a violation of that law.

    2. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right, spirit of that law is "no bribes", which wins over the letter-of-the-law interpretation of "no cheap rides to the polls."

      Americans hold sacred their right to choose their betrayer, rather than skipping the farce and just letting the richest call the shots (which is what happens anyway, regardless of who holds office).

    3. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, but the key thing is that they are not picking and choosing which areas they offer free rides to. If a service operates in Area A (who votes for Party A) and Area B (who votes for Party B), which are each voting differently, but is only offering rides for Area A, and not Area B, than that could be an issue.

      If Uber and Lyft, which last I checked operate nationwide, are only giving free or discounted rides in certain area, then there's a problem.

    4. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by demonlapin · · Score: 1

      They most certainly do choose exactly where they're going to go. Where I live, they go straight to nursing homes and black churches, not redneck bars and the VFW hall.

    5. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by h33t+l4x0r · · Score: 1

      Sure, let's lock up the people giving out the "I voted" stickers and buttons while we're at it. Give me a break. I'm so glad this shit is almost over.

    6. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Is that any worse than if redistricting places "Area A" egregiously far from its polling places? Oh but that is perfectly fine and not against the law, right? Or if redistricting carves "Area A" out of a competitive district and places it into "Area B" where things are a lock, and now more so? Oh I am sure its fine since the two areas are demographically similar and thus them voting to be represented as such is just fine...

    7. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you can't pay someone to vote/not vote, and you can't accept payment to vote/not vote. Hopefully no city has waived parking fees near polling locations.

    8. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by Gavagai80 · · Score: 1

      How many people go from a bar to vote or live in a VFW hall?

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      This space intentionally left blank
    9. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by demonlapin · · Score: 1

      As many live at a church as a VFW hall. Yet those do seem to be popular pickup points.

    10. Re:This is a blatant violation of federal law. by demonlapin · · Score: 1

      My polling place isn't even in my voting precinct. It's 0.6 miles/1 km outside of the nearest point of it. I have to drive past another precinct's polling place to get to it from my house. So, eh? I could walk there in about twenty minutes, if my car exploded. Might take me five on a bicycle (though there's a big hill, so return journey would be longer).

  10. Number 1 search by rtb61 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Let me guess the number one map search will be, the location of polling stations relative to where they actually want to go ;D.

    --
    Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    1. Re: Number 1 search by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow dude you are genius! I didn't think of that.

  11. Demographic:Have Smartphone but not transportation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If I understand this correctly, this is to support a demographic of people that think a smartphone is so important that they can't afford transportation to get places like... to go to work.

    Either that or they will be using their obamaphone to hale a ride to vote for more welfare.

    Honestly, my only point is this specific demographic doesn't have their priorities right.

    I on the other hand have a job and a car but I'll get a smartphone when I can afford one.

  12. I'll bet Uber drivers love this by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 1

    I'll bet Uber drivers love this - I've rarely had a driver who could legally vote in America. (Yeah, I guess I'm one of the few people who talks to their drivers.)

  13. They limit the areas... by niftymitch · · Score: 1

    By limiting the areas that this offer applies to they may be tampering.

    "eligible areas, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit,
    Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Orleans, Nashville, New York City and New Jersey, Orange County, CA,
    Philadelphia, Portland, OR, Phoenix, Raleigh, NC, San Diego, and Washington, D.C."

    The service is not cash and ride it requires a smart phone ($$) and credit card.
    Drivers can refuse to give rides .... A demographic review seems to be in order.

    I expect this to be given some review especially in how it shows up on the company tax returns.

    --
    Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't. Mark Twain.
  14. thread vitriol too low by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    /. 2016 the right wing vitriol level is too low in this comment section. Come on you tough guy keyboard warriors let's get some liberal bashing going.

  15. Getting there is half the fun! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If you're determined to drive yourself but don't have a car???

  16. Select lyft users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The key word here is select.

  17. Re:Demographic:Have Smartphone but not transportat by Gavagai80 · · Score: 1

    A smartphone capable of hailing an uber is $30. Show those people a $30 car and they'll buy it.

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