LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved funding Tuesday for an expanded transportation pilot program that will provide free Lyft rides to residents accessing essential services throughout the county.

The council authorized a memorandum of understanding with United Way of the Bluegrass to operate the Rides United program for two years at a cost of $375,000, approved as a Council fund balance project in December 2025. The program will provide approximately 12,500 subsidized rides through June 30, 2028.

Residents can access free transportation to three categories of services: essential and subsistence needs, maintenance and personal business, and social and quality of life activities. The rides are coordinated through the United Way's 211 resource line, and Lyft drivers are paid at standard rates while riders receive rides at no charge.

The program uses a blended rate model of $23 per ride for transportation services and $7 per ride for administrative costs. Funding will be distributed in two phases, with $125,000 allocated for Phase 1 and $250,000 for Phase 2, allowing program adjustments in the second year if needed.

The Rides United pilot represents an alternative approach to transit expansion in Lexington. Council members noted the program's advantage of collecting data county-wide, rather than limiting service to a specific geographic area as proposed by Lextran's microtransit feasibility study.

The program addresses documented transportation barriers that prevent residents from accessing healthcare, employment opportunities, education, and other critical services. According to the agreement, the United Way will operate the program in partnership with Lyft, allowing the organization to leverage existing rideshare infrastructure to serve vulnerable populations.

The council also addressed other business items during the Tuesday meeting, including approval of a Utility Access Agreement with Metro Fibernet, LLC for broadband infrastructure installation at the Legacy Business Park.