Moving what matters in the DMV

As COVID-19 continues to impact the DC-Maryland-Virginia region, we’re focused on doing our part to help the community and our drivers, delivery people and restaurants move what matters most. Our team is working around the clock to do everything we can to support the DMV.

We’re pleased to be partnering with several local organizations as part of Uber’s global commitment to provide 10 million rides and food deliveries to essential workers and people in need, free of charge. 

Rides

Provided 20,000 Rides for Essential DC Health Care Workers: In partnership with DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office, Uber provided 20,000 free rides of up to $25 for front-line health care workers in the District. Public transportation options for front-line workers shrank due to limited transit schedules put in place to prevent the spread of the virus. Uber and the District provided rides to the 13 hospitals that are part of the DC Hospital Association, such as Children’s National, Medstar Georgetown, and George Washington University Hospital.

Helping Domestic Violence Victims: Uber worked with the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence in response to the rise in domestic and intimate partner abuse cases during the pandemic and provided 1,000 free rides to survivors in the District. Because victims typically reach out for help only when they’re away from their abusers, survivors were left with few safe options to access resources, reach out for help, or plan an exit. Uber has stepped up resources to help  prevent sexual assault and domestic violence in our communities since announcing the Driving Change initiative in 2017. 

Connecting DC Kids with School Lunches: Uber supported DC families while public schools were closed. In partnership with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), Uber offered a 25% discount (up to $10) for trips taken to or from food pickup locations through April 30 to ensure continued access to free meals. 

Connecting Baltimore Kids with Access to School Lunches and Resources: Uber partnered with Baltimore City Schools to support students and their families with free as well as reliable transportation to support access to vaccinations. Uber provided  500 free rides of up to $25 off six Uber X or XL rides for use.

Safety

Protecting Drivers and Riders in the DMV and Around the Globe: In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, Uber has implemented several new safety features to protect drivers and riders in the DMV and around the world. On May 18, Uber began requiring that all riders, drivers, and delivery people wear a face covering while using Uber’s platform. Drivers and delivery people are prompted to take a selfie with the face cover prior to accepting trips to verify their compliance. Since the launch of this feature, Uber has completed 102 million mask verifications on 3.5 million drivers and delivery people. Drivers and delivery people are also asked to confirm they have followed safety guidelines Uber has worked with the CDC and WHO to share with our users, such as sanitizing the car or delivery equipment and keeping their windows open when possible to ventilate their vehicle. Riders are also asked to confirm in-app that they are wearing a face cover and that they have taken key safety measures, such as washing hands and opening windows for ventilation. Any rider reported by their driver for not wearing a mask or face cover is required to take a selfie with a mask on in order to request their next ride. This will help ensure the safety of the platform for the next driver. To allow for more distancing during rides, we are also advising that riders no longer sit in the front seat.

Delivering Cleaning Supplies and Protective Equipment Directly to Drivers: To protect the health and safety of our drivers and riders, Uber has dedicated $50 million globally to purchase and distribute cleaning supplies and protective equipment to active drivers and delivery people. Uber drivers and delivery people are able to request that supplies be shipped directly to their home.

Since March, Uber has purchased 30 million masks and face covers for drivers around the world and has distributed them to 1.4 million Uber drivers and delivery people free of charge. This includes nearly 10 million masks, wipes, and sanitizers to more than 740,000 drivers and delivery people in the United States and Canada

Greenlight Hubs Distribute Health and Safety Supplies: Uber is offering easy pick up of health and safety supplies for drivers in the DC region from Greenlight Hubs. Uber drivers and delivery people can pick up these health and safety supplies in-person at the designated distribution center Greenlight Hub in Ward 7. To date, Uber has distributed nearly 400,000 masks and 30,000 sanitation items to 25,000 drivers and deliverers in Washington D.C. 

Collaboration with Clorox: To help ensure Uber drivers are equipped with the necessary supplies to help keep their car clean and disinfected, Uber has collaborated with Clorox to make Clorox Disinfecting Wipes available for use in pilot cities across America, including Washington, DC. When drivers with Uber confirm they have Clorox Disinfecting Wipes available, riders receive an in-app notification prior to being picked up that the wipes are available for use in the car. This means riders and drivers will have greater ease when they travel, knowing they have access to Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, at no additional cost, to help provide peace of mind on their next Uber trip.

Road Safety Coalition and Return to the Road Campaign: An unsettling development during the COVID-19 pandemic has been an increase in traffic fatality rates, despite the decline in traffic volumes. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there was a 23.5% increase in the rate of motor vehicle fatalities nationally in April and May when compared to the same period as last year. To help address these road safety concerns, Uber has partnered with road safety experts to encourage safe behaviors, reduce drunk driving, and raise seat belt safety awareness. The newly formed Road Safety Coalition includes: 

We have also launched the Return to the Road safety campaign encouraging all Uber riders and earners to be mindful of how to safely return to the road as stay-at-home orders are eased throughout the country.  Throughout the year, we will continue to push education materials and remind drivers of technology built in the app to address roadway dangers, including driver hour limits, bike lane alerts and encourage all passengers to wear a seat belt.

Providing Financial Assistance to Sick Drivers: In an effort to keep our communities safe and prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Uber drivers and delivery people who have been diagnosed with an active case of COVID-19 or who have been ordered to self-isolate by a doctor or public health official can receive up to 14 days of financial assistance from Uber to keep them off the roads while ensuring their financial well-being

Uber Eats

Partnered with World Central Kitchen to Deliver Food to Seniors and Hospitals: Uber Eats partnered with José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen to deliver meals to vulnerable populations and front-line health care workers in DC. After a successful pilot here in the District, World Central Kitchen and Uber delivered 300,000 meals in several cities across the country. To do so, Uber Eats designed an operational infrastructure to allow restaurants to join the platform, receive bulk meal orders, and send them via large-capacity vehicles to drop-off locations, including homes for the elderly and hospitals. Meals in partnership with World Central Kitchen will be delivered in Washington, DC, the Bronx, and Newark with plans to expand to Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Atlanta, San Jose, New Orleans, and Dallas.

Partnered with Martha’s Table to Deliver Meals to Seniors: To help local seniors who are self-isolating, Uber Eats and Martha’s Table came together to deliver pre-packaged groceries to residential centers in the area. Martha’s Table provided meals and Uber Eats couriers make sure they get to seniors in need. 

Provided Meals for Health Care Providers: We worked with nine local Sentara hospitals in Virginia to provide meal delivery through Uber Eats directly to health care providers. We committed to distributing over 900 Eats meals to Sentara health care workers across diverse practice areas and throughout Virginia. Meals were delivered to: Sentara Norfolk General & Sentara Heart Hospitals, Sentara Leigh Hospital, Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Sentara Obici Hospital, and Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.

Local Restaurants: Because we know our small businesses are facing exceedingly difficult times, for a limited time customers received  $0 delivery fee on all Uber Eats orders* from independent restaurants in an effort to drive sales to local favorites, including ThaiPhoon, The CakeRoom, and Bar Charley, to name a few. Customers also had the option to support these local businesses by contributing directly to restaurants when they ordered in the Uber Eats app. We committed up to $5 million nationwide to support US restaurant workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis – including $2 million to the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, and an additional matching of all direct-to-restaurant contributions made through the feature, up to $3 million.

*Taxes and a Service Fee still apply. A Small Order Fee may apply. Terms are subject to change. See the Uber Eats app for details and location availability.

Earners

Supporting Drivers and Couriers:

Uber’s financial assistance policy provides up to 14 days of aid to active drivers and delivery people diagnosed with COVID-19 or individually asked to self-isolate by a public health authority to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. We continue to refine and update this policy given developments.

During this challenging period of low-ride demand, we’re also making it easier for drivers to begin accepting Uber Eats delivery requests. We have waived the 24-hour holding period before a partner can receive their first delivery request. 

We’re also providing earners in DC and other high-need cities across the country with disinfectants to keep their cars and delivery equipment clean. Supply chains are still challenging, and priority is rightly being given to hospitals and health professionals, but we’re pushing to get supplies distributed as soon as they’re available. 

Uber is also ready to work with more food banks, hospitals and others across the region to move what matters most to them. Organizations, health care providers and governmental entities looking for support with rides or food deliveries can submit their request directly at t.uber.com/impact2020.

Thank you to the health care workers who are saving lives. Thank you to the drivers, delivery people and restaurants who are supporting them. And thank you to all the riders who are doing their part by staying home.