Lyft is now offering free rides to Buffalo residents who need to go to grocery stores after the mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store left ten dead.
On May 14, an 18-year-old man traveled more than 3 hours to a supermarket in Buffalo, NY, where he shot 4 people in the parking lot, before entering the store and shooting 9 more people, ABC News reports. He killed 10 people in total. The supermarket was located in a predominantly black neighborhood and authorities believe that the shooting was racially motivated.
Since the grocery store where the shooting took place was located in a food desert, Lyft is offering up to $25 off of rides to and from Tops Friendly Markets and Price Rite, according to a press release.
“The #Buffalo shooting occurred in what's known as a ‘Food Desert’ — affecting the *only* supermarket in walking distance. Residents, use code "BuffaloLyftUp" for free rides to & from grocery stores in other areas,” Lyft said in a Tweet.
Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement via a press release, saying the shooting has been “traumatizing” to New York residents.
“The past 24 hours have been traumatizing for New Yorkers, and my administration will spare no effort to ensure the victims of this act of terrorism by a white supremacist are receiving all the resources and support they need," Hochul said. "The entire world is watching how we will come together as New Yorkers to overcome this unthinkable tragedy. Buffalo, my hometown, is the City of Good Neighbors and New York State will be good neighbors for them."
Lyft operates in more than 350 cities across the U.S. and employs around 1.4 million drivers globally, according to Policy Advice. More than 23 million people around the world use Lyft. Lyft's market share has increased to 30%, which reflects a growth of 10% over the last three years.