When you call a Lyft in the District from Friday to Sunday, you could choose to ride in a bright, colorful sedan with the name of another country on it.
Lyft designed cars that represent eight countries across the world: Brazil, Ethiopia, Germany, Jamaica, Morocco, Peru, Indonesia and the United States. These internationally-themed cars will be accepting rides during certain hours this weekend, and every car is supposed to be driven by an international driver.
"Each Passport Mode vehicle has been transformed to showcase the famous landscapes, icons, and pastimes from the country it represents," Lyft said in a statement. "With an international driver as your guide, you’ll get to know the music of their homeland and learn introductory phrases in a new language."
The cars will be available to ride in Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Inspiration for this concept comes from Passport DC, an annual month-long event in the District during which people can explore other countries through embassy tours and various cultural events. The experience is run by Cultural Tourism DC, and Lyft is a partner this year.
The 2018 embassy tours are scheduled for the first two Saturdays of May, first with the Around the World Embassy Tour on May 5 and then the European Union Open House on May 12.
Steve Shulman, Executive Director of Cultural Tourism DC told News4 that 53 embassies will be opening to the public — tied for the highest number of embassies that have ever participated.
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"The embassies represented by the automobiles are really excited," Shulman said. "It captured a part of geography that was meaningful to them."
For every ride in the international cars, Lyft will donate $1 to Atlas Corps, a non-profit organization that facilitates service among working professionals.
