The County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency is partnering with rideshare programs, Uber to provide access to rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination appointments in Hawai’i County as part of its Hele-On Get Your Shot! campaign.
“The main role of transportation is providing access to services, resources and essential destinations. We are focused on offering more ways that County residents can access transportation to COVID-19 vaccine appointments by working with Uber,” added Mitch Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawai’i.
“For many people in communities across the County, transportation is a constant barrier to getting to their doctor’s visits, grocery stores, and other appointments. This barrier was made even more complex by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the populations most in need of the vaccine are unable to get to their vaccine appointment,” said John Andoh, Interim Mass Transit Administrator. “We are ensuring that through Hele-On, transportation is not a barrier to the COVID-19 vaccine on island and we are excited to work with Uber to facilitate this partnership.”
Nationally, Uber has pledged to provide up to 10 million free or discounted rides to help people get vaccinated, particularly “communities of color that have been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic,” as the company said in December.
“We’re proud to support transit agencies like Hele-On as they continue to facilitate vaccinations and positive health outcomes by leveraging Uber’s on-demand platform,” – Teague Kirkpatrick, Customer Success Manager at Uber.
Participants can get access to up to four free rides (up to $15 each trip) to and from vaccination appointments. Any amount over $15 will be automatically charged to the user’s debit or credit card on file with the user’s Uber account.
To receive a voucher to book COVID-19 vaccine trips through Uber: http://t.uber.com/heleonhawaiicounty. To learn where you can get vaccination in Hawai’i County, visit: https://coronavirus-response-county-of-hawaii- hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/vaccine-information
This promotion runs through December 31, 2021, or while funding lasts.
For more information about Hele-On, please call (808) 961-8744, TDD: 711 though the relay service, email heleonbus@hawaiicounty.gov, visit www.heleonbus.org or find Hele- On Bus on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or You Tube.