Working with Local Communities to Drive Chicago

Each week, more than two million rides take place on the Uber platform in Chicago. And, not surprisingly, demand for safe, reliable rides has been steadily increasing, month after month, in neighborhoods that historically haven’t had enough transportation options.

One out of every two Uber rides begins or ends in an area underserved by taxi

Ridership on the city’s west side has more than doubled over the last six months, and is growing even faster on the south side. As this demand rises, there is an opportunity for local residents to drive with Uber to help meet that demand.

So today we’re kicking off an effort to connect people on the south and west sides with flexible earning opportunities. With the help of local organizations from Austin, Garfield Park, Auburn Gresham, Chatham and other south and west side neighborhoods, we will host a series of driver recruitment events over the next year to educate people about how to become a driver on the Uber platform and connect them to the opportunity as part of our goal to recruit 10,000 new drivers to the Uber platform.

This initiative will connect people to the flexible and equitable earning opportunity that Uber offers driver-partners, where they can be their own boss and choose their own hours.

Ride to Donate to Chicago Neighborhoods

In addition, riders will also have the chance to donate part of their Uber ride this Wednesday, July 1, to support community efforts that expand economic opportunity. For every rider that enters the promo code LISC2015 in their app and takes a ride that day, Uber will donate $1 to LISC Chicago, a leading nonprofit that works to improve Chicago neighborhoods.

Upcoming Driver Recruitment Events

Each session will consist of an Uber presentation, a Q&A session, and time for participants to meet with Uber representatives 1-on-1 to apply to partner with Uber or to upload their documents and advance their application. All events will be open to the public. Participants may RSVP at t.uber.com/Chi10000.