Free Uber rides remove critical transportation barrier for formerly incarcerated Bridgeport residents

New tonight, a program in Bridgeport is giving free Uber rides to people coming home from prison who need to get to job interviews. News 12's Frank Recchia has more from advocates about the impact. Bridgeport is known as the second-chance city due to the high number of formerly incarcerated folks who have managed to rebuild their lives here. But for them, something as simple as a ride to a job interview can end up being a major roadblock. Anytime they face any obstacles or barriers to entry when they're trying to turn over a new leaf, it can be really demoralizing. Nobody knows that better than 38-year-old Ronell Hall, who was incarcerated for 14 years. He says many folks in his shoes have driving restrictions and end up facing a very familiar scenario. They finally interviewed. They get a job. They're told yes, but they can't get there. Now we have a program that provides a grant. But Bridgeport Mayor Joe Gannon, himself a returning citizen, says a new program will help eliminate transportation barriers for the formerly incarcerated. In Bridgeport, we have a grant now to provide Uber rides free to individuals who want to go for a job application, an interview or even for a job shift. We teach young people to train dogs. We teach formerly incarcerated people to train dogs. As the founder of a now successful dog training and workshop business called GPS Canine, Ronell knows all about finding the right path. And he says the free ride share is helping people get there in more ways than one. I can give people like autonomy, freedom, a sense of like I can do it. Like I set out to do this thing and I can accomplish more now. And if you'd like to know more about the program, we have all the information for you at News 12 dot com. In Bridgeport, Frank Recchia, News 12.