Lyft offering free, discounted rides to musicians on lower Broadway

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Lyft is trying to “lift” some financial burden from musicians performing on lower Broadway in Nashville by providing free and discounted rides.

The rideshare company announced Tuesday it will provide two frees rides to or from lower Broadway to or from anywhere in Music City and additional discounted rides.

It’s all part of a first-of-its-kind agreement with the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257, to support the city’s liveblood – music. The estimated value of the rides is $10,000.

“Hundreds of AFM Local 257 members now can take a Lyft ride to their gigs on Lower Broadway, which accomplishes our number one goal: putting - and keeping - money in musicians’ pockets,” Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy said. “I can’t thank Lyft enough for being such an awesome supporter of Nashville’s musicians.”

Any Local 257 member who applies for the program and performs on Lower Broadway is eligible.

“Nashville is Music City, and Lyft wants to do its part to support and uplift musicians who perform for thousands of Nashvillians and visitors every night on Lower Broadway,” Lyft Nashville General Manager Sam Nadler said. “From our Lyft offices on 2nd Avenue, we hear amazing music every day coming from just down the street. We want our neighbors to have affordable transportation so they can keep making music in Music City.”

This comes after a big push from the NMA to gain affordable parking closer to venues, that prompted lower parking fares for some musicians.

Rather than pay $25 to $30 a night to park near Lower Broadway, musicians will now have the option to park in the McKendree Garage on 6th and Commerce for $5 a night.

Lyft has a similar, but slightly differently, agreement in Austin’s music district.