Today, Uber announced a new pilot program with the U.S. Army to increase on- and off-base rideshare services and flexible earning opportunities for military members and their families at Army bases across the country.

The pilot will initially focus on six Army installations serving over 600,000 military members, their families, retirees, and civilians, with plans to expand to more than 20 bases in 15 states. The first six sites for the pilot program are Fort Bliss (TX), Fort Bragg (NC), Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WA), Schofield Barracks (HI), Fort Shafter (HI), and Tripler Army Medical Center (HI).

“We are proud to partner with the Army to expand rideshare operations for service members and their families,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. “This initiative underscores Uber’s commitment to reliable transportation access, and will help to strengthen connections with surrounding communities and boost the local economies around these bases.”

“This program demonstrates our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by our military communities,” said Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army. “Through collaboration with the ride-share industry, we’re able to provide our Soldiers and their families with safe, reliable and convenient transportation options that support their unique needs and enhance their overall quality of life.”

While Uber is a seamless transportation option for most Americans, many Army bases are in less dense or rural areas with limited existing access to public transportation, taxi, or rideshare services—and even when these options exist, they often cannot go past the base gate, which can create challenges for service members, their families, and community members who may work at or visit the base.

Expanding rideshare services on and around these bases will also help to more fully integrate bases into surrounding communities and grow local Main Street economies.

This new partnership will help bridge these transportation gaps while upholding the Army’s strict security standards. Drivers who choose to opt in must pass the Army’s vetting process, which includes an in-person background check at each base. Once cleared, they receive an Army-issued base access credential that allows base entry only for authorized pickups and drop-offs. This is in addition to the multi-step safety screen that all drivers must undergo before they can drive with Uber.

Uber and the Army will use data and insights from the initial six pilot locations to refine and expand the program, ensuring a seamless experience for military communities and drivers alike.