Lyft Announces Improvements Addressing Driver’s Top Frustrations

Image: Lyft will begin paying drivers more (Photo Credit: lindaparton / Adobe Stock)

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Tue October 8, 2024

In an effort to improve driver experiences, Lyft announced significant earnings improvements designed to address drivers’ biggest frustrations and help maximize their time behind the wheel.?

Lyft drivers have consistently said that the key to a great experience is ensuring that every minute and ride is worthwhile, which includes earning more for longer rides.? On the heels of Lyft’s industry-leading Earnings Commitment, ensuring drivers receive a fair percentage of fares and understand how earnings are calculated, the new improvements are designed to further enhance driver confidence. ?

Surveys and discussions revealed that drivers' top two concerns were not earning enough for rides where they encounter traffic and not earning enough for long rides. As a result, Lyft’s new features for drivers include:

Earning more for time spent in traffic, delays, and out-of-the-way trips. In Lyft’s pilot program, this improvement resulted in higher ride earnings for nearly 70 percent of drivers.
Driver ability to see upfront earnings, the estimated dollar per hour rate upfront for each ride
Drivers who qualify as a Preferred Driver will be rewarded with more rides for safer and more reliable driving.
Saving on gas or EV charging and set aside earnings in a high yield savings account with Lyft Direct.
Access to affordable health insurance with Stride or a career in tech with Merit America.

Kamia Johnson, Lyft Driver in the Merit America program on economic empowerment said in a statement, “I want to thank Lyft for making this program available to its drivers because it not only tells you that you don't have to just stick with us, but you can progress in life, you can do other things, and you can still rely on us. You know, instead of thinking this is only it, you have many doors that Lyft is opening for you.”

Additionally, Lyft Driver Experience Data revealed that driver and rider engagement hit all time highs in the second quarter of 2024. Thanks to Women+Connect, Lyft had 34 percent more women and binary drivers compared to 2023’s second quarter and launch regions saw a meaningful increase in driver perception of pay fairness.

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