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Uber passenger using car seat

10 Things To Avoid Doing As A Lyft Or Uber Passenger

For those who have driven for Lyft or Uber, it may be easier to empathize on the occasion that you’re a passenger. However, for those who haven’t been in the driver’s seat, consider these tips during your ride in order to have the most pleasant experience possible.

1. Ignore Your Driver

While you might have a few things to get done en route to your destination, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least greet your driver and ask how their day is going. While every driver and passenger has their own preference for conversation, if your driver tries to engage in polite conversation, chat with them!

Nothing is more awkward than a 20-minute (or longer) ride in complete silence (aside from some music in the background).

2. Bother Your Driver

At the same time, you don’t want to be labeled as a backseat driver – literally. Distracting your driver by trying to tell them how to drive and where to go doesn’t help either of you. Depending on the driver and their experience, it may make them uneasy, causing them to make a mistake while driving. Let them do their job and drive you safely to your destination.

3. Overshare

While it’s great to feel comfortable with your Lyft driver, it can also be easy to suddenly feel like your anonymity transforms your ride into a therapy session. While it’s fun to engage in conversation and share a little bit about your life, don’t use this time to ask life advice from the driver or tell them your life story. In some instances, this might be appropriate, but that would be an exception to the rule. Generally, your driver simply wants to get you to your destination as pleasantly and painlessly as possible.

4. Drink Alcohol in the Car

You may think this is a no brainer, but don’t think that it hasn’t happened. Since passengers are not driving, they decide to bring the pre-game to the backseat of their Lyft ride. Quite simply, don’t do it – it can get both you and your driver in trouble if you get pulled over by the police. The driver takes even more responsibility since they are the one driving and it’s their car.

5. Get Sick in the Backseat

After a fun night out, you might not be feeling great on the way home. Once you realize what might happen, alert your driver so they have time to pull over. If you don’t think you can help it, perhaps… puke in the bar before leaving, especially when using Uber or Lyft.

6. Request One Too Many Extra Stops

While both Lyft and Uber offers the convenience of adding a stop into your ride, don’t ask your driver to make a bunch of unexpected stops to pick up friends or stop at the store. While many drivers are happy to make these stops for passengers, it’s not appropriate to cut into your driver’s time, during which they could accept more rides and increase their earnings instead.

7. Leave Items in Your Driver’s Car

It happens – in the shuffle to get out of the backseat of your Lyft, someone may forget a phone, purse, or other important items. While Lyft has a process for drivers and passengers (as this happens quite often), it can be tricky figuring out where to pick up an item from a driver. In some cities, there are hubs where drivers can leave lost items, but ideally, just don’t do it – take an extra second before getting out to make sure you have all of your belongings with you, so your driver doesn’t have to go out of their way to return the item.

Lost item Uber and Lyft

 

8. Leave Trash in the Car

Whether it’s leftovers from the restaurant or simply an empty water bottle, nothing is worse than leaving your trash rolling around your driver’s backseat, unbeknownst to them. Even if it was from another passenger, let your driver know so that others don’t have to deal with it and potentially give the driver a bad rating because of it.

9. Forget The Car Seat

If you have an infant or toddler, and you call for an Uber or Lyft, make sure you have a car seat with you.

Justifiably, many drivers will flat out refuse to take an infant or toddler if you don’t have a car seat. It’s simply not worth the liability.

10. Forget to Tip Your Driver

Similar to tipping a server in a restaurant, if you can’t afford to tip your driver even a dollar or two when using the service, it may be better that you don’t use the service until you can afford it.

It may sound extreme, but you wouldn’t not tip a server when you eat at a restaurant, right? The only exception might be if the service is really bad, but even then, its’ relatively rare. It’s the same with using Lyft. While your driver may receive most of the money you paid for the ride, consider if they’ve gone the extra mile, figuratively speaking. Are they kind and courteous? Does their car look and smell nice? Go ahead, give them a few dollars for ensuring your ride was pleasant.

If any of these scenarios sound all too familiar – don’t fret. As a passenger, you can now be more diligent with these tips in mind in the future, and enjoy your ride with Lyft!

 

Via, Lyft, and Uber driver tips.

How to Get More Tips on Uber, Lyft, Juno And Via

Whether you drive Juno, Lyft, Uber, Via, or another service, tips can really make or break you when it comes to maximizing your earnings.

Sometimes even the smallest gestures can make all the difference for your passengers, helping you earn more and higher tips on average. Below, we’ve put together a list of our top insider tips for earning more and better tips on Uber, Lyft or whichever rideshare services you’re driving for.

1. Listen to your passenger.

The first and most important way to earn higher tips on Uber and Lyft is to listen to your passenger. If they ask you to take a certain route or give you directions for where they’d like to be dropped off at their final location, listen to them and do your best to meet their demands. This shows the rider that you are willing to do what it takes to provide them with a pleasant rideshare experience.

When it comes to chatting, you should also listen more than you talk. Let the passenger set the pace for the conversation. While some riders like to make small talk on the way to their destination, others would rather sit quietly. By letting the passenger take the reins when it comes to conversation, you can make sure that they are comfortable for the entire ride.

2. Anticipate your passenger’s needs.

One way to earn higher tips is by anticipating and accommodating your passenger’s needs. Heading out to pick up riders from the bars and clubs at 2 a.m.? Having water bottles in your car is a great way to ensure that you can keep your passengers comfortable on their ride home.

Working on a particularly cold night? Make sure you have the heat on so it’s warm when they enter the car and always ask if the temperature is comfortable.

Another great way to go the extra mile in anticipating your rider’s needs is keeping different phone chargers in your car at all times. Many passengers will accept your offer for a quick phone charge during their ride. This is the kind of thoughtful touch that will encourage them to leave a tip when they arrive at their destination.

3. Double-check any strange navigational directions.

Technology makes our lives easier, but it sure isn’t perfect. If you notice any strange directions coming up on the navigation, be sure to double-check to make sure this is the quickest and safest route to the rider’s destination. Taking a moment to double-check directions can save you from taking an unsafe or longer route, which may result in no tip and even a lower rating. You can plan ahead for this by having multiple GPS applications loaded on your phone.

 

If there are multiple ways to get to the passenger’s destination, you may also want to ask them if they have any preference on the route you take. For example, if one route requires you to get on the highway, which may result in a longer trip, it can be worthwhile to ask the passenger if they’d rather have you take the back roads. If one route requires tolls, make sure you ask the rider about their preference given they are charged for these tolls.

4. Keep your car clean.

This tip may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s so important. All passengers will appreciate a clean car that smells nice. Not only does this make their trip more pleasant but it shows them that you take your job seriously. You don’t have to detail your car in between every passenger, but having a clean car that’s vacuumed and free of dirt and smudges helps you make a better impression and provide a positive ride experience.

When it comes to making sure your car is smelling great, avoid using products that contain strong perfumes as your rider may be sensitive or allergic. Instead, opt for non-offensive, fresh scents that are subtle but effective. Keeping some Febreze or another light air freshener on hand is a good idea in case you need to freshen up your vehicle in between rides.

You may also want to keep some light cleaning supplies in your trunk in case a passenger makes a mess during their ride. Having a small hand-held, battery-powered vacuum and some basic cleaning solutions like window cleaner and sanitizing wipes in your car at all times is always a good idea as it allows you to ensure that your vehicle is always clean and passenger-ready.

5. Play neutral music.

When it comes to creating an exceptional experience for your passenger, you want to make the environment in your vehicle as peaceful as possible. Rather than playing your favorite radio station or playlist, opt for neutral music. Find a station or playlist that plays songs that won’t be considered jarring or offensive no matter what the rider’s personal music tastes may be.

Additionally, you may want to ask your passenger what type of music they would like to listen to, especially if they have a longer ride ahead of them. This type of personal detail shows the rider that you care about their experience and are serious about providing exceptional customer service. These are the kinds of details they will remember when it comes time to leave a tip.

In the end, your tip potential comes down to one thing – providing exceptional customer service. If you want to earn more and higher tips, you need to go the extra mile to make sure that your passenger is happy and comfortable while they are in your vehicle. Do everything you can to create a positive ride experience, and your riders will show their gratitude by leaving you a tip.

 

Lyft Rider Questions

Answers To Some Common Lyft Rider Questions

Lyft Tipping Etiquette – Do You Tip Your Lyft Driver?

If you haven’t taken a Lyft, you’ve probably got a few questions about how it works. Below we answer some of the most common Lyft rider questions that new passengers have.

Oh, and if you’re looking for a Lyft code good for free ride credits, simply click the button below for between $5 and $20 in free Lyft credits (amount determined by your city).

Free Lyft Credits

 

What’s the tipping etiquette for Lyft?

We’ll open with the million dollar question. Should you tip your Lyft driver? And when you do tip, how much money should you give them?

Lyft offers in-app tipping options, although it can be very easy to forget about your tip, as payments are generally handled automatically. It’s an unfortunate quirk and one that many drivers are less than thrilled about. Factor in that Lyft does not reimburse drivers for maintenance, gas, and other expenses incurred while driving, and it’s easy to see why. Fortunately, Lyft is rolling out a few features to make tipping easier for passengers.

As with servers and bartenders, many Lyft drivers rely on tips for a large portion of their income.

With that in mind, a good rule of thumb for tipping your Lyft driver is to offer them the same amount you would a taxi service. Generally, that will be around fifteen to twenty percent of your total fare.

If your driver provided exceptional service – good conversation, music, amenities, etc. – you might even consider tipping more.

Lyft Rider Questions - Tipping

 

Can my Lyft driver see how much I tip?

Yes. Lyft drivers receive a weekly earnings report every Tuesday summarizing the trips, fees, and tips they made the previous week.

They can also examine  their ride history in the driver app, which shows details such as pickup point, destination, trip time, and tip total for each job. This is one of the reasons tipping is a great way to be a five star passenger.

Should I sit in the front seat or backseat as a Lyft passenger?

You can sit where you feel like sitting. However, if you are by yourself, most Lyft (and Uber) drivers would prefer that you sit in the back, behind the passenger seat.

Does Lyft charge per person?

It does not.

The number of riders on a particular trip generally has no bearing on how much you pay for a trip – provided you aren’t requesting a ride for more than three or four people. For larger groups, you’ll need to order a Lyft XL.

This will connect you to a driver with a larger vehicle capable of fitting up to six people.

Lyft XL rates are slightly higher than the rates for a standard Lyft, owing to the fact that larger vehicles tend to have poorer gas mileage than small or mid-sized ones.

How much does Lyft cost?

The short answer is ‘it depends.’ As with Uber, Lyft prices are different from city to city.

There is also a large variance between the different types of Lyft you can select. We have already mentioned Lyft Plus, which offers larger vehicles – Lyft also features a number of other options that you can select:

Lyft Line costs less than a standard Lyft and works by connecting you with other passengers along the route to your destination. Essentially, it’s an option to carpool and save money doing so.

Lyft Lux provides you with a late model luxury sedan that seats up to four passengers.

Lyft Lux Black is one step down from ordering full limo service – Lyft describes it on its website as being “limited to only the most luxurious makes and models.” It’s also important to note that Lyft Lux Black exclusively features drivers with a high rating.

Lyft Lux Black XL features premium SUVs with space for up to six people. Aside from this, it’s the same as Lyft Lux Black.

 

Your ride type aside, there are a few things that go into your pricing when you call for a Lyft.

The distance between your pickup point and destination. The per-mile rate varies by city, but it’s usually somewhere around $1 for Lyft, and as much as $5 for Lyft Lux Black.

The amount of time it will take to reach your destination, calculated as a per-minute cost. Again, this varies wildly by city and time and may range from $0.10 per minute to $0.50 per minute.

All rides booked through Lyft also have a service fee attached to them. The fee varies by city.

The minimum fare. Generally speaking, this is around $3 for a standard Lyft. Depending on which service you use, it can be as high as $25 or $30.
There is an additional fee if you get picked up at an airport.

Get A Lyft Fare Estimate

To receive a fare estimate for your city based on your pickup location and destination, simply visit Lyft’s Fare Estimator.

Does Lyft have surge pricing like Uber?

Yes. This is known as Lyft Prime Time. During periods of especially high demand, your ride price will be higher. Prime Time price increases are usually done in 25% increments.

As this can get very expensive very quickly, it may be better to wait a few minutes and see if demand goes down before ordering.

Is it possible to use Lyft without a credit card?

Yes. In addition to accepting all major credit cards, Lyft also accepts any debit card tied to a checking account, as well as most prepaid cards.

Passengers can also pay through PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Per Lyft’s website, all payments made through the platform are processed through third-party payment service Stripe.

Note that you can also add multiple payment methods to your account, and you can create a business and personal profile. Should you do so, you’ll be able to choose which one to use on a per-ride basis.

Unfortunately, there is no cash payment option for Lyft at this point in time, though some passengers do choose to tip their drivers with cash rather than through the app.

How do I add my debit card to Lyft?

Adding a debit card to your Lyft account follows the same process as adding a credit card. Simply open the Lyft app, tap on your photo, and tap “Payment.”

Enter your debit card number and all other relevant information, and save it. and you’re good to go!

How do I add Google Pay to Lyft?

To add Google Pay to Lyft, you’ll first want to ensure you’ve configured Google Pay on your device. Luckily, this is pretty simple to do. Just launch the Google Pay app, verify the cards associated with your account, and you’re good to go.

From there navigate to the Payment section of your Lyft app and tap to add Google Pay. That’s it.

How do I add Apple Pay to Lyft?

If you have an iPhone or iPhone Plus that’s model 6 or newer, you can configure Lyft to use the new Apple Pay service. This one-touch mobile payment option works similarly to Google Pay, combining your credit cards, debit cards, tickets, reward cards, and other payment options in a single place.

Once you’ve configured it by adding your payment cards, you can then easily add it to your Lyft account through the Payment tab in the Lyft app.

How do I delete my payment info on Lyft?

To delete your payment info from the Lyft app, you basically just need to follow the same process you would to add new payment methods.

First, navigate to the Payment section of the Lyft app. Tap on the payment method you wish to remove, and tap “Delete Card.”

Note that if a payment method is the only one on your account, you cannot delete it.

How do I delete my Lyft account?

Unfortunately, deactivating your Lyft account is a bit of a process. You’ll need to contact customer support, either through the Lyft support page or by emailing support@lyft.com.

Should you choose the former, select “Delete Account or Unsubscribe” in the support page’s drop-down menu.

You are required to explain why you wish to delete your account, though what details you provide in this explanation are up to you.

Once you’ve submitted a support ticket, you may need to wait a few hours to receive a response from Lyft Customer Support.

If they take too long to get back to you, you can send additional emails to support@lyft.com. Once the process is completed, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, even if your account is deleted, Lyft retains certain information about you as a passenger. This includes your name, email, and phone number; any photos you added to the app, your payment information, reviews and ratings you’ve submitted about Lyft drivers, location information gathered by the app, and records of your communication with customer service.

The idea is that by retaining all this data, they make it easier to return to the service if you wish to reactivate your account in the future.

The second is that you will not automatically be unsubscribed from Lyft’s promotional emails – they may occasionally try to reach out to you with special offers and deals in an effort to convince you to return.

To unsubscribe from these emails, you’ll need to submit another support request. Alternatively, you can simply use the Unsubscribe feature in your email client.

How do I contact Lyft?

You can contact Lyft through the help section of their website. This allows you to report an accident or incident, report an issue with a driver, or report a lost item. You can also contact Lyft support directly through the rider app.

Can you use Lyft without a smartphone?

You can – but you’ll still need at least a cell phone. Visit ride.lyft.com and enter your phone number to authorize a new ride request. You’ll receive a text message containing an authorization code.

Enter that into your browser, and you’ll be able to configure your pickup point and destination. You’ll also want to make sure your payment information on the site is up to date.

Free Lyft Credits

 

How do I check my account for promotions or credit?

To check for any promotions on your account, simply open the app, tap on your profile picture, and then tap ‘Promos.’ Any active promotions will be visible on this page.

Lyft Rider Promo Code Insturctions

 

Can I pay for someone else’s Lyft?

Unless you add your payment information to their account, no. However, what you can do is request a ride for a friend through your own Lyft account. Should you choose to do this, Lyft recommends that you text the driver to let them know they’re picking up a friend instead of you.

You should ensure you enter in both the pickup point and destination for your friend before you request one.

Alternatively, if you and your friend both have Lyft, you can split the payment for your ride while en-route.

Where is Lyft available?

Lyft is currently available in over 300 cities in the U.S., as well as Toronto and Ottawa. Vancouver, Montreal, and other cities in Canada will be added in 2019.

Lyft passenger questions

 

To see if Lyft is available where you live, you can check the directory on Lyft’s website. Note that at the time of writing, Lyft is not yet available outside North America.

What is Lyft Line, and how do I use it?

Lyft Line effectively offers you the option to carpool with other Lyft passengers along the route to your destination. It’s available a discounted rate compared to other Lyft services – anywhere from ten percent to sixty percent. To use Lyft Line, simply tap “Line” when you’re requesting a ride.

From there, simply enter your destination as-normal and you’re good to go. Note that you may find yourself in a Lyft with other passengers at the moment of pick-up, or your Lyft may stop en-route to your destination to pick up additional passengers.

It’s generally a good idea to budget extra time for your Lyft Line, just in case more passengers join the trip.

That said, if there are no other passengers along your chosen route, you’ll still be able to use Lyft Line – you’ll just instantly get from point A to point B.

Lyft Line is only available for trips which include only a single stop.

If you’re using Lyft to run errands or making multiple stops along your route, you’ll have to settle for a standard ride. The same goes if you need to bring luggage or a heavy load with you on the trip.

What’s the cheapest time of day to get a Lyft?

Generally speaking, there are a few times throughout the day where Lyft requests surge into the stratosphere. Although it does tend to vary slightly by city, the busiest times of day for Lyft are usually as follows:

  • Morning rush hour (7 to 9 AM)
  • Evening rush hour (4 to 7 PM)
  • Friday and Saturday evening
  • Holidays

It’s also important to remember that Prime Time surges can happen at any time of day. Weather conditions such as heavy snow or rainfall also tend to both increase fare and increase demand for Lyft drivers.

Does Lyft allow pets such as dogs?

Yes and no.  Both Uber & Lyft drivers are obligated to allow service animals into their vehicles, but otherwise, the decision on whether or not you can travel with your pet depends on the driver.

Some drivers are happy to allow cats and dogs into their vehicle, while others may request that you find another ride.

Generally speaking, if you want to travel with a pet, call ahead – make it clear to your driver that you’re bringing an animal on-board. If possible, keep them in a carrier. If they’re too large for that, bring a towel or blanket to put over the seat, and make sure the animal is clean before getting into the vehicle with it.

If you’re ready to sign up for Lyft, click the button below to get started. If you’re already a Lyft customer, unfortunately, there are no codes that will get you additional free Lyft rides.

However, for ways you can get Lyft credits as an existing customers, check out our Lyft promo code page.

Free Lyft Credits

 

 

Lyft default tipping in app

Lyft Drivers Suggest Default Tipping – Lyft Says Yes!

Letting riders set a default tip percentage has been on plenty of rideshare drivers wish lists. If you’re a Lyft driver, you can cross that item off the list. Today, Lyft announced they are adding a default tipping option to the Lyft rider app.

Not only that – but Lyft is also adding a few more tipping and ratings features, and have committed to rolling out a new app feature or driver suggested enhancement each month.

Lyft Default Tipping And In-Ride Tipping

Tipping has always been a core concept at Lyft. Lyft riders were able to tip drivers in the app years before Uber finally added the feature (in 2017!). Lyft also redesigned the rider app tip screen this past summer, resulting in a 20% increase in the amount earned from tips by Lyft drivers!

Now, riders will be able to set a default tip percentage for all future rides.

 

Lyft is also giving riders the ability to add a tip during the ride. More than half of Lyft riders open the app during a trip. When they do that in the future, they’ll be presented with an option to add a tip to the current ride.

These new tipping features will roll out to some riders in December, with a wider rollout through early 2019.

Lyft drivers have currently collected almost $1 billion in tips, and these moves are almost certain to increase the rate at which Lyft passengers tip.

Lyft Default 5 Star Ratings & Driver Ratings Protection

Besides the new tipping features, Lyft is making three key changes to the driver ratings system:

  • If a rider doesn’t rate a driver, the system will default to a 5 star rating.
  • Lyft will continuously remove a driver’s single lowest rating for every 100 rides they give.
  • Riders will be asked to qualify any ratings less than 5 stars and if the issue was outside the control of the driver, the rating will not be counted.

These are some great changes. Even great drivers will get a 1 or 2 star every now and then. This way, you get a mulligan once every 100 rides. Even better, if the issue that led to the low rating was something like traffic, or another passenger on a Lyft Line, the rating won’t count against the driver.

Lyft Driver Advisory Council Provided Key Input On These Changes

The genesis for some of these features came from Lyft’s Driver Advisory Council (DAC). Lyft created the group (comprised of Lyft drivers) in 2016, to better address driver concerns. The group also helped come up with Lyft’s gas price relief program this past summer.

DAC members, drawn from all over the country, offer advice on issues and policies that affect drivers, and also help test out new features. If you’re a Lyft driver and have an idea for a feature or some feedback, you can get in touch with your region’s DAC representative by clicking HERE.

Rajiv Bhatia, Lyft’s new Head of Driver Product, lauded the contributions of the group, noting that “Lyft’s Driver Advisory Council is completely unique for the industry, and it is one of our most effective ways of staying tuned into the driver community nationwide. The six new features that we are announcing today and those that we commit to delivering each month, are the result of feedback from drivers through channels like the DAC.”

Lyft has been on a bit of a roll lately, announcing a major expansion of their Express Drive program, making key new hires, and prepping to go public. These further moves should only help stoke momentum as the company begins its IPO roadshow.

 

Lyft App - Lyft Shared

The Lyft App: Your Guide to the Revamped Lyft Passenger App

The Lyft App: Your Guide to the Revamped Lyft Passenger App

Earlier this summer, Lyft introduced a revamped app for passengers. The new Lyft app combines ease of use with an emphasis on shared rides, and integration with city transit systems.

Overall, the new Lyft passenger app is a vast improvement, with a cleaner interface, and improved performance, to get you a ride faster.

Lyft App Changes

The home screen of the new Lyft rider app simply asks, “Where are you going?”

Nearby Lyft drivers appear on the map so you can see just how close your potential ride is to your location. Simply type in your destination address or choose from one of your saved locations.

Lyft App - Where are you going?

One Tap to Ride

One of the most convenient Lyft app updates is the “one tap to ride” feature. You can quickly request your most frequented destinations—home, work, a favorite restaurant – with a simple click.

Once you choose your destination, you’re prompted with a list of Lyft ride options. Lyft pricing, arrival time, and vehicle size is presented clearly in the app for easy comparison. Go for a traditional Lyft ride or opt for Lyft XL if you have a large group.

Lyft Passenger App - Shared or Classic Lyft

Move Your Pickup Spot

Anyone who’s used a rideshare app around tall buildings knows they don’t always get your exact location right.

Now, in the Lyft rider app, once you select your Lyft vehicle type, you can move your pickup spot to a more specific location if needed.

Lyft Passenger App - Pin Location

If you’re in a busy area, the new Lyft passenger app may even suggest a pickup location that may allow your driver to get to you faster. This feature aims at making pickup less confusing and time consuming.

The ride company tested its side street pickup method earlier this year in San Francisco, CA, where over 20,000 pickups were diverted to side streets. By moving points of contact to less congested areas, drivers can be more readily available to the waiting passenger.

Watch Your Trip

You’ll also see an easy-to-read map with a clear time of pickup, highlighted route, and estimated arrival time so you can plan your trip and arrive on time.

Lyft Line Changes to Lyft Shared

With the new Lyft passenger app comes a new name to one of Lyft’s service lines. Lyft has changed the name of it’s shared rides service from Lyft Line to Lyft Shared.

On Lyft Shared, you request a ride for you, and up to one other person (two max). On your ride, your driver may pick up and drop off additional passengers who are going the same way as you.

Lyft has always emphasized shared rides. In July 2017, the company raised the driver pay rates for Lyft Shared rides to match regular Lyft rides.

It was the first time a rideshare company announced a pay increase for drivers nationwide.

A year later, the updated Lyft app marks another step forward for shared ride improvement. Lyft is focusing on shared rides as a way of lowering their carbon footprint. By 2020, the company is aiming to have shared rides account for 50 percent of all Lyft rides

The new version of the Lyft rider app furthers this goal by featuring shared rides more prominently. In markets where Lyft Shared is available, when passengers choose a destination, the shared ride option is now listed first.

Lyft Rider App - Show Route

Company execs say the change has already prompted a 5 percent increase in Lyft Shared rides.

Lyft Shared Ride Pricing

Lyft Shared (formerly Lyft Line) pricing depends on your city, driver availability, and the likelihood of getting paired with another rider.

However, Lyft Shared is always cheaper than a standard Lyft ride.

The new Lyft app shows you upfront how much your shared ride will cost. That’s the price you pay, whether you’re matched with other riders or not.

Oh, and be ready at the pickup point when you request your ride!

Lyft Shared drivers will wait no longer than one minute since other riders are waiting.

You can see if Lyft Shared is available near you on the Lyft city listings page.

Lyft Bike, Scooter And City Integration Plans

The new Lyft passenger app can integrate with public transportation systems. The first two integrations will be in Marin County and Santa Monica, California. Lyft will be partnering with the Transportation Authority of Marin and the Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica.

At the end of June, Lyft acquired Motivate, North America’s oldest and largest bikeshare company. The move is part of Lyft’s strategy to strengthen its eco-friendly approach to offering transportation.

Motivate provided 80 percent of all bikeshare rides in America last year, running platforms in major cities like:

  • Citi Bike in New York
  • Ford GoBike in the San Francisco Bay area
  • Divvy in Chicago
  • Blue Bikes in the Boston metro area
  • Capital Bikeshare in the Washington, D.C. metro area
  • BIKETOWN in the Portland metro area
  • CoGo in Columbus, Ohio
  • Nice Ride in Minneapolis

Bikeshare plays into Lyft’s approach to integrate with city transportation systems and offer more options for community members.

Lyft’s purchase of Motivate positions the company well for the future:

  • Lyft Passenger App Integration: Lyft will eventually be able to let riders rent bikes in the Lyft rider app, similar to what Uber has done with Uber Bikes. Riders can skip the traffic and avoid busy major routes by using bicycles and scooters (more on that in a moment).
  • Existing Bikeshare Infrastructure: Lyft’s buyout of Motivate comes with contracts and relationships already in place in major cities across the U.S. Rather than battling the competition of other transportation outlets, Lyft is now partnering with them to give you more options.

Now, About Those Scooters

In San Francsico, Lyft is one of several companies that have applied to operate motorized scooter rentals. Tentatively, the new venture is called Lyft Bikes.

Lyft Bikes and (potentially) scooters create an alternative to walking or enlarging the carbon-footprint with more vehicles.

The advantage to consumers is obvious, but some argue the scooters are more hassle than they’re worth. After San Francisco became littered with scooters left on street corners and sidewalks, the city instituted permitting requirements.

The city says it will decide soon which of twelve companies will be granted the permits. Each will operate 250 scooters under a 12-month trial program.

Lyft is vying against Uber, Spin, LimeBike, Bird, Razor, Scoot, Ofo, Skip, CycleHop, Ridecell, and USScooter for a permit. City leaders say after six months under the pilot, they’ll reevaluate and consider doubling the number of e-scooters available.

Lyft’s San Francisco scooter pilot program would serve as a launch pad to put scooters in other cities.

While the recent Lyft app refresh makes it easier for those hoping to share their commute with another passenger or get to their destination faster, more options could be on the horizon. Bike and scooter sharing could soon mean anytime you want to leave your home but don’t want to walk, you’ll be able to use Lyft to get to your destination.

The Lyft rider app highlights the importance and demand for shared ride availability, working in tandem with public transportation platforms, and speed of service. Based on the company’s moves toward alternative transportation, it’s safe to say this summer’s update will likely not be the last Lyft app change we see.

If you’re interested in checking out the new Lyft app and getting up to $20 in Lyft rides credits, click the button below to get started.

 

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