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City leaders announce expansion of Lyft program at Cleo's Bodega on the near northwest side.
Jill Sheridan/WFYIIndianapolis is expanding a pilot program that increases food access by providing car-share rides.
The Lyft Grocery Access Program will now be offered to west side residents, providing $2 round trip rides to grocery stores in the area.
Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili says the city’s food access issue is complex.
"We need long term strategies to eradicate and prevent food deserts in Indianapolis, but we also need right now strategies," says Osili.
This program expands another launched this summer on the east side, and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett says it's working.
"I am glad that we can grow this effort to include more neighbors, more neighborhoods and obviously more families," says Hogsett.
The Lyft program has already provided more than 1,000 rides says Hogsett.
"These $2 round trip rides have already begun helping families who don’t have easy access to a grocery store," says Hogsett.
An estimated 200,000 people in Indianapolis live in food deserts.
Lyft has launched this effort in about 20 other cities.
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