Lyft Corrects a Major Mistake: Rideshare Drivers React

Welcome to Rideshare Drivers React, your weekly roundup of the conversations trending among drivers in The Rideshare Guy community. Click Subscribe above to be notified of each edition. 

[Editor’s note: Quotes are lightly edited for clarity]

Lyft FINALLY Correcting A Major Mistake!

Last year, we covered how Lyft slashed per mile rates for about a dozen markets by 50%. Known as ‘pay after accept’, the justification was that drivers would be paid from the moment they accepted the ride.

Needless to say, many drivers were annoyed, and it looks like Lyft listened. Recently, drivers in just over a dozen markets received an email from Lyft stating ‘pay after accept’ was going away and rates would return to their original (pre-slashed rates) amount. But was it too little, too late?

Here’s what readers are saying:

For most drivers, it came down to communication and pay. Reader Calvin stated he prefers to drive for Uber - but only for one reason:

“I stopped driving for Lyft when Uber started telling us where the rides destination was. If Lyft implemented that change I would consider turning it back on.”

Driver Noah expressed the overall attitude, particularly among veteran drivers, that whoever pays more will get his business:

“During the pandemic some rides are 12 to 15 miles away so getting paid in route was great. Now I don't want to drive 12 miles to pick up a person, especially not knowing where I'm gonna be taking a passenger... I was accepting all Lyft rides but now I'm switching back to Uber depending on who's paying more per mile.”

Chime in on the discussion here.

PPP, Driver Unemployment & Uber News: RSG YouTube Live

This week, I went live to answer drivers’ questions about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), driver unemployment and the recent news that Uber is seeking to acquire Postmates. It was a great way to catch up on all the questions drivers had, and we spent a long time talking about unemployment funding, the possibility (or not) of unemployment funding being extended by Congress, and driver safety when it comes to driving for Uber and Lyft.

It’s clear that drivers are thinking carefully about the future: many people asked about how they could stay safe and keep their passengers safe. Others shared strategies they had about earnings, sneeze guards, and even ‘life after rideshare’ - what people are doing to stay busy and earning that don’t involve rideshare driving.

If you’ve been wondering what drivers really think, make sure to attend our next YouTube Live by subscribing to our YouTube channel here!

Here’s what readers are saying:

I asked people what they miss about driving, and it turns out that many drivers not currently driving actually miss it quite a bit, like viewer Bernadean:

“I miss driving too! I call it my therapy, meeting new people from all over. Love it!”

Other viewers, like Alan, shared that they never stopped driving - for delivery, that is.

“I’m an Uber Eats driver [and I] never stopped driving. [I] feel very safe, hardly talk to any eaters.”

Chime in on the discussion here.

EIDL Loan Opens Back Up!

Paramount on drivers’ minds is earnings, pay, and funding - and drivers were happy to learn recently that the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program had opened up again. 

Mind-bogglingly, some drivers have not been able to access any funds since the beginning of the coronavirus - no unemployment funding (still processing in their state), no EIDL because of confusing initial information, no PPP because of backlogs and lack of funds, etc.

That’s why our announcement that EIDL had re-opened plus more news on unemployment was so welcome - we did the research and shared our strategies with drivers. 

Here’s what readers are saying:

One thing left up in the air: will Congress extend benefits for the unemployed, including independent contractors? The overwhelming majority of our audience hopes so:

“I truly hope the $600 continues as there are SO MANY PEOPLE out there really need it to continue.”

“They have to extend. I'd love to be back driving full time but I'm not willing to risk my health or my families health.”

“I tend to agree with you, Jay. There might be an extension. Health wise, things look very risky to be in close quarters driving passengers who may not be as careful with their health as drivers might be. Stay safe!”

Chime in on the discussion here.