While I’m really just happy the days of giant pink mustaches stuck on the grill of Lyft drivers’ vehicles are a thing of the past, I’d prefer my ride not to come with hidden fees either.
Lyft sneakily added wait time fees to many of its rides, making it a given you’ll stress out once your car arrives. Though its competitor Uber has had the added costs since 2016, Lyft has been gracious enough to give people as unprepared as me ample time to get out the door.
The new fees, which sneakily went into effect “recently,” according to a Lyft spokesperson, will charge riders an additional cost if they’re not in the car after two minutes of the estimated pickup time. And if it’s really busy, riders might see that fee go up. The fees will also vary by location.
The fees don’t apply to certain rides, including Shared, Access, and Assisted rides, as well as canceled rides.
“Wait time fees may be charged at a per minute rate when your driver has arrived at the pickup location and has been waiting for more than 2 minutes (5 minutes for Lux Black and Lux Black XL [rides]),” the new policy reads. “If a driver arrives early, fees may apply 2 minutes after the original estimated pickup time.”
If a rider needs more than the allotted time due to a disability, they’ll need to submit a waiver for an exemption to prove it.
If this has been one reason for you to choose Lyft over Uber, the two wait time policies are now nearly the same. Uber charges riders a per-minute fee starting two minutes after arrival for most rides. Uber Black and SUV trips get a five-minute window to hop in your ride.
by travelers, for travelers.
