The Obama administration decided Wednesday that federal agencies should reimburse employees who use ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft during the course of their business day.
The General Services Administration (GSA), which supports the functions of federal agencies, explained that employees could use ride-sharing mobile applications “when it is advantageous to the government.”
The GSA continued: “The simple answer is that yes, as a federal employee traveling on official business, you can be reimbursed for rideshares in accordance with your agency procedures and local laws.”
The ruling comes on the heels of a deal struck between the hail-to-ride company and the Democratic National Committee, the host of the Democratic convention, to give Uber passengers exclusive rights to an air-conditioned tent while waiting for rides. The tent was no more than a ten-minute walk from Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, the location of this year’s DNC.
The partnership between the DNC also includes the “Stars and Stripes” program, which offers free-of-charge Uber rides to special VIPs attending the conventions.
The company attempted to strike a similar deal at the Republican National Convention, but was denied access.
