If you can't keep up with every new feature ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft keep dropping, it's not just you. The two have been one-upping each other nonstop in recent months with rider rewards programs, subscription plans, and even customer feedback options.
On Thursday, Lyft announced its latest driver "enhancements," just a few weeks after Uber unveiled Uber Pro, a driver reward program to recognize the most committed drivers. Top drivers can earn free tuition at Arizona State University's online program.
Lyft counters that its three new features coming in December aren't just for select drivers, but for anyone who uses the platform to make some side money or as a full-time job. Rajiv Bhatia, Lyft head of driver product, said in a phone call this week the improvements aren't a response to Uber's driver program, but to make sure "all drivers feel recognized." Lyft already has its Accelerate Rewards program with cash back at the pump and other perks.
First up is better tipping. Lyft always included tipping in its app, but now passengers will be able to set a default tip for every ride. So if you want to make sure every driver gets 20 percent you can now set that up. You can override your preset if you want to increase or lower a tip.
Riders will also be able to tip during the ride -- something Uber introduced back in May. For the 53 percent of users who Lyft says open the app during a ride, they'll be able to tip before reaching their final destination.
Lyft was encouraged when in June it redesigned its app and changed the tipping section. Tip amounts went up 20 percent.
Next up: rating protection. Drivers striving for that five-star rating will get a leg up. Lyft will drop your lowest rating for every 100 rides, exclude low ratings from trips that frustrated riders because of bad routes, traffic, or too many shared riders, and give drivers five stars if a rider never fills in the rating info. Passengers' default is five stars if drivers don't rate, and now the same goes for drivers.
The final December feature will show drivers anticipated demand for the week, or when drivers should expect to earn more because it's busier. This is supposed to help drivers schedule their driving plans, especially since most drivers have other jobs, school, children, or other activities to work around.
The app already shows demand for the day, but now it'll show the week ahead. Within the driver app a new demand prediction will take in upcoming concerts, events, and conferences in your area.
Bhatia said the new weekly demand graph will "take the pain out of driving" and help "maximize their earnings."
All these upgrades for drivers from both apps come as the driver community struggles to earn enough in the ride-hailing industry. The Independent Drivers Guild, or IDG, the group that represents for-hire drivers in New York City, put out a statement and resources Wednesday after a cab driver killed himself this month while reportedly in mounting debt. The IDG said this was the eighth driver suicide this year.
"The For-Hire Vehicle industry is in a far reaching crisis that is affecting thousands of families across our city right now. Years of sub minimum wage pay, mounting bills, exploitative bosses and punishing shifts have taken a great toll on our city's for-hire drivers," the IDG statement read.
Lyft says its drivers earned over $3.6 billion in 2017 and on average earn $18 per hour nationally. To continue improving morale (and earnings) Lyft says it'll be rolling out new features for drivers each month.
Note: For New York City drivers, you can text “Well” to 65173 or call 1-888-NYC-Well, or chat online with a counselor. Interpreters are available in more than 200 languages.
