Helpful tips from a Lyft driver

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Helpful tips from a Lyft driver

Make it easy on yourself and rideshare driver

31/01/2023

It has been several weeks since Lyft messed me over and I am happily doing better with Uber. I should have learned that Lyft was unsafe for drivers when they refused to tell police on-site the address and other information of a passenger who tried to throw a rock through my window several months ago. Now the fact that I was a five-star driver for 4 years Lyft takes the word of a passenger angry that I canceled her ride who then made up a story that I stole from her purse. Lyft's response to me is that I have to prove my innocence, although she has no proof of her accusation.

While this caused a financial hardship while I went through application and background checks with Uber I have recovered more in a month through Uber bonuses than I ever made with Lyft. And, as I said, I find Uber to be safer for me and my passengers. For example, at least daily Uber randomly stops and requires me to send a live photo of myself to prove my identity. They track rides more completely and have better options for me to report trouble before it happens if I suspect a potential or current problem.

Of course some of my views are tainted by disgust over my treatment over 4 years with Lyft. However, I must tell everyone that they are safer as passenger or driver with Uber. And for a driver the financial rewards are better with Uber

27/05/2022

It has recently come to my attention that sometimes while enroute to pick up a passenger I get a different passenger assigned due to the new passenger having a higher rating. What this means is that you should care about how you treat your driver. You may know that if a driver rates you 3 stars or below you will never be assigned to that driver again. Now be aware that a low rating also means you get lower priority for assignment to other drivers as well. My basic procedure is to give 5 stars to most passengers who tip, 4 stars to those who don't, and 3 or less to those who cause problems such as arguing with me or being extremely rowdy, vulgar and rude to each other. Thankfully, those passengers are only a few among over 8,000 I have served.

18/02/2022

Attention Lyft drivers, if you think Lyft cares about your safety you are wrong. Last night a belligerent passenger punched my windows, mirrors and threw a rock through my open window at me. I had to drive away as he chased me. When the police came Lyft refused to give me the address where I dropped him off saying the police would have to contact them directly.

15/09/2021

Please don't waste your time complaining with lies to Lyft. I have done over 6000 rides with a rating of 5 out of 5. I will just tell my side of the story and you will likely be suspended.

21/08/2021

I have mentioned this before but must reemphasize:

Selecting "use my location" can be very inaccurate. If you are around buildings, it is very cloudy or even in hilly terrain your phone GPS signal can report your location quite far from where you are. Last night a passenger had to cancel at her expense after I arrived at the location their phone reported because they were actually 10 minutes away down a mountainside.

If you must select this option you need to read what address is reported and change it if it is incorrect. It is better to type in the actual address or name of the establishment where you want pickup.

11/08/2021

Now that more group venues are open it can be difficult for both drivers and passengers to connect for pickup. If you are trying to get picked up from a busy club, stadium or other crowded area it would make it easier if you set the pickup spot on a nearby side street. As always, pay attention to your phone. The app should show you where your driver is and notify you of arrival. If the street is gridlocked consider walking to your driver who is stuck nearby in traffic.

07/05/2021

If you want to put your baby at risk by riding without an approved child carrier you should not have children. Don't argue when I refuse to let you ride with a precious child on your lap. I obviously care more for your child than you do. (Yes I am angry.)

26/03/2021

If you ever use an app like Google Maps or Waze for your personal travel you probably know it can do some incorrect things. It often directs users to alleyways behind a house. It sends users many blocks out of the way rather than make a u-turn. It even chooses routes that are much longer than necessary. If you know a better route than what shows on your drivers' phones please let us know. Likewise, it can be helpful for you to send a text message while we are enroute describing your pickup point.

Cases in point: last night my passenger told me after we started on a lengthy route that there was a better way. On the return trip he showed me a much shorter route that saved him money. Another passenger came running out to flag me down after I canceled due to him not showing up of answering his phone. It turned out he was on the other side of the street from where my map showed. He didn't see me waiting, observe the map showing my location or respond to messages. Sadly, I couldn't stop because his ride was deleted and I was paid for a no-show.

04/03/2021

As a Lyft driver I hear all sorts of personal information both directly in conversation and indirectly from passengers on their phones. I don't mind either type but it is really inappropriate to converse on speaker for all to hear. I understand if you are a group sitting together so all can participate but personal conversations should remain personal.

13/02/2021

I have mentioned before the importance of making sure the app shows a correct location for pickup before the driver arrives. If you discover it is inaccurate, no problem while your driver is on the way. Just change it. But if you wait until the driver arrives at the wrong spot you arelikely to be charged for a "noshow."

Twice this week passengers called me to say they were at a different address than shown on my map. One wanted me to call him for directions on his personal phone instead of the app. This is nearly impossible. It is against Lyft policy and the app blocks cutting and pasting a new number into the phone.

We are not able to follow verbal directions to a separate location of which we have no map or personal familiarity. But I always try.

21/01/2021

In my last post I remarked how I (and surely everyone) don't like to pay for something I don't use. Last night was another similar instance: a "no-show."

After a driver arrives to your pickup location and you are notified we wait 5 minutes before moving on. We are required to call you before leaving. I typically call after 4 minutes to let folks know they have 1 minute left. If they say they are disabled or they need time for a seriously valid reason I wait longer. Not every driver will.

If your driver leaves before 5 minutes report it to Lyft. I have had this happen to me as a passenger. Lyft will refund your no-show fee if you give a good explanstion.

19/01/2021

Who likes to pay for something they don't receive? Not me. And even though I get paid I also don't like when my customers get charged but don't receive service. If you request a Lyft ride you have only 2 minutes to change your mind. The longer you wait before canceling the greater will be the fee. "Time's money. Look in the clock." (If you know the origin of that quote you are old."

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