July 27, 2014 By Christian Murray
It sure beats a shuttle bus.
Uber, the cab service company known best for its app, is running a promotion during the five weeks that G train service is down between Greenpoint and Long Island City.
The company is providing one-free trip between the two neighborhoods from now until August 31.
The promotion, which began Friday with the station closures, requires passengers to enter a promo code “FREETRANSFER” on their Uber app, which gets them one free ride (up to $30) between the two neighborhoods.
Edward Casabian, a senior marketing manager with the Long Island City-based Uber, said the company came up with the concept since so many of its own employees are being affected by the G-train station closures.
Three G train stations will be closed until September 2 as the MTA repairs damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. Those stations are Court Square, 21st Street and Greenpoint Avenue. The MTA will be offering shuttle buses during the 5-week period.
The company has offered similar deals between neighborhoods in the past, such as providing a 25% discount on trips to Chelsea for one weekend earlier this year.
However, Casabian said that there are no plans yet to start a promotion during weekends when the No. 7 train is down. “We’ll see how this one goes,” he said.