Free, discounted Uber and Lyft rides for N.J. residents who lost cars due to Ida

New Jersey residents who lost their vehicles in last week’s deadly flooding can get free or discounted rides in the next two weeks under a new partnership between Uber, Lyft, United Way Worldwide, and NJ 211, Gov. Phil Murphy’s office announced Wednesday.

Anyone who lost a vehicle in the deadly storm can text NJIDARIDE to 898-211 to request a Lyft or Uber ride. Those without a smartphone can dial 2-1-1 from any phone line.

New Jersey remains under a state of emergency after the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused widespread flooding throughout the state, killing 27 people and damaging or destroying the homes and vehicles of thousands of residents.

Floods also affected car-rental agencies around the state, leaving residents who lost their vehicles with little avenue for temporary wheels.

CoreLogic, a data analytics company, said Wednesday it estimates Ida-related damages in the region could reach $24 billion, with as much as $12 billion of it uninsured. Sixteen percent of total flooding was in New Jersey, the company said.

Monday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved six counties — Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset — for a Major Disaster Declaration. The designation allows residents impacted by the storm to register at www.disasterassistance.gov for direct assistance for Ida-related recovery including home repairs, temporary housing, low-cost loans, and other programs.