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Here's a nifty partnership between the ride-sharing service Lyft and Detroit's bus system.
Under a pilot program that began this week, customers taking the 53-Woodward bus to or from work between midnight and 5 a.m. Monday through Friday, can get a $7 credit for a Lyft ride. The customer is responsible for the remaining cost.The $7 covers about 1.3 miles of the ride.
To get the credit, riders text "Work" or "W2W" to (313) 456-9328. A link will prompt them to download Lyft's app if they don't have it, or it will take them to the app.
If people text outside the program hours, a reply will suggest texting back between midnight a weekdays.
Once they get the $7 Lyft credit on the app, they set up a pickup location near the bus stop. The service can be used once per night.
If people don't have a smart phone, they can use Lyft Concierge to schedule a ride in advance.
The service is being funded through a grant by the New Economy Initiative. The pilot program ends after 2,000 rides.
For more info, call (313) 933.1300 or go to detroitmich.gov/w2w.
