Durham Now Offers Free Lyft Rides in Northern Durham through Expanded GoDurham Connect

DURHAM, N.C. – Residents in northern Durham now have another free option to get them to and from their homes to GoDurham bus stops, shopping centers, schools, and libraries thanks to a recent expansion of GoDurham Connect’s program with Lyft. 

GoDurham Connect is a pilot program with the on-demand rideshare service, Lyft, that allows riders to take rides for free up to $25, with a $25 subsidy provided for rides that cost more than that amount. Funded by the City of Durham with support from the Durham County Transit Plan, the pilot service has recently been extended to include northern Durham, and is an extension of the service that has been provided in the eastern part of the city since March 2022. (Please scroll down and watch the informational video.)

“Many areas of our community are not conveniently located near GoDurham bus stops, which can be a deterrent for the people who depend upon our free GoDurham fixed-route system,” said City of Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal. “By extending this free ride-share service to the northern area of our community, our residents can now catch a free ride to their closest GoDurham bus stop or other areas within the zone, making it easier for them to safely travel to and from work, school, or shopping. I’m proud of our partnership with Durham County to provide this expanded pilot program because it shows our continued commitment to investing more in our underserved communities who rely on transit to meet their mobility needs.”

The GoDurham Connect expansion to northern Durham was based on feedback received over the summer. The new northern Durham zone includes Duke Regional Hospital, Bragtown, Preiss-Steele Place, Carver Creek Apartments, North Duke Crossing, Cross Creek Shopping Center, Northern High School, Riverside High School, Durham Technical Community College’s Northern Durham Center, Treyburn Corporate Park, Edison Johnson Aquatics Center, and the Museum of Life and Science.

“The Durham County Transit Plan is helping provide improved access to employment, educational, and enrichment opportunities in northern and eastern Durham via the new GoDurham Connect service,” said Durham County Board of County Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton. “Important destinations such as the Treyburn Corporate Park, Durham Tech North Campus, the Museum of Life and Science, Duke Regional Hospital, three County Libraries, and many Durham Public Schools are now more accessible to Durham residents and are also connected to the local bus system through these new services.”

Riders who want to use GoDurham Connect can download the Lyft app on their smartphone or visit Lyft’s website and log in or make an account. Riders can then use the code GDCONNECT2 for a free $25 ride in eastern Durham or GDCONNECT3 for a free $25 ride in northern Durham. Rides that cost more than $25 will receive a subsidy up to that amount.

Riders are limited to 120 rides per month, and all trips must be taken within one of the zones. Rides outside and between zones do not qualify at this time. GoDurham Connect operates between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sundays. Anyone younger than 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Passengers without smartphones, or those who need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, should call 919-485-RIDE (7433) to schedule a ride. 

GoDurham Connect zone boundaries were chosen through the GoDurham Microtransit Planning Study completed in June 2020, and the zone boundaries were created through extensive engagement with the public and coordination between GoTriangle, GoDurham, the City of Durham, and Durham County. GoTriangle provides planning and administrative support for GoDurham Connect.

Visit the GoDurham Connect webpage for zone boundaries, policies, when the pilot program is scheduled to end, and more.