Lyft Drivers getting rippes off by 60% you too?

[Anonymous]

I've been doing Lyft for over 2 months. I recently needed a ride to the airport and I downloaded the app for passengers. They want 80 bucks! Yet when I drive and take people to the airport I drive farther and I get $21-23 also barley no one TIPS. Even rich business men do not tip. It's not worth the time to drive out 45 min, then you can't get a ride back because there's already a Q of commercial drivers Uber/Lyft. So I have to drive to another city 20 mon out to gey a ride. It's over an hour and mostly in traffic.

Also there is no ryme or reason for some rides. Exp. I can get 7 bucks for a ride a few miles usually less than 12 min. Then I'll gey another ride that's 25 min I'm traffic for 7 bucks!!!

Lyft is ripping off Drivers charge $80 to the passenger and the Drivee gets $21. 🤷‍♀️

[Curmudgeon]

I am a Lyft veteran of a little over 9 years now. While it has been a great way to make extra money *in your spare time*, I definitely would NOT do it full time, as there are better ways to earn money full time, like a steady job. Also it is too much wear and tear on your car, and on you. After a couple of hours, every driver should get out and walk around and stretch a bit.

If you can document *that low* a percentage of fare from a ride, consult employment lawyers on that. Look for the free or low cost legal aid online.

NOTE: I mean *percentage* of fare, not the actual fare earned. As a rule, I have found that I get paid between 75% to 80% of any fare, direct deposited into my bank account about a week later. Do look over your payment records and match rides to subsequent payments, as you might a good case here that a shyster would want to make a name for him/her self over.

NOTE ALSO: if you are leasing a car through Lyft, or you are enrolled some program where Lyft is paying your car lease, car insurance and/or your health insurance benefits, that low a percentage of fare sadly may make sense. :(

I got involved with Lyft after a breakup, where I could either boo-hoo-hoo about that and get drunk Friday and Saturday nights, or I could stay sober, drive around other people out to get drunk, and make money.

Other rules for Lyft drivers:

1. Friday and Saturday nights are the moneymakers, although the whole COVID hysteria put a dent in that for a while. Partly because people really want rides home late that night or early am after midnight, but sadly partly also because the lady drivers do not feel safe those time periods. I am a big guy and I can take care of myself, so your mileage may vary, as the automakers say. (Tonight I am recovering from a cold, so I am not out right now). I can celebrate with the happy drunks and commiserate with the sad drunks. Mean drunks are a problem however.

2. The direction feature, where you only want rides that are going your way, give or take a mile or two, is something you of which should take advantage. I usually use Lyft in the course of having to drive somewhere else anyway, when I am not in a hurry or under a deadline. And even in the case of being under a time deadline, you can even set a time frame for destination arrival!

For example, I have to drive 3 hours every now and then for clients, and to visit and look after my old man, and I have earned money along the way picking up passengers who are also going to and from the various cities and towns in between. I always at least earn enough to pay for the fuel and then some.

3. Remember to deduct everything. (a) Mileage is now 65.5 cents a mile for 2023, and while the Lyft statement you receive does give you a mileage figure at the end of each year, it is best to check it against your own records. (b) Meals you eat on the road are deductible at 50%, as are any snacks or gum or bottled water you provide to passengers.

4. Be helpful to your passengers. For example, have a long charger cord (that can reach the back seats) plugged into the USB ports or what used to be the car cigarette lighter, with both Android and Iphone connections. So many passengers discover their phone batteries are running low, and they do appreciate the little things. Ditto for helping little old ladies and disabled with respect to their airport suitcases, grocery bags, wheelchairs, etc. The little things lead to often bigger tips.

[Redstang88]

Well yeah, that’s how they make money. I thought it was common knowledge that nobody actually makes money working for those apps?

[Curmudgeon]

Actually, you *can* make money with Lyft, if you do it right:
1. In your spare time, not your full time
2. In the course of a car trip to somewhere you have to go anyway (directional feature pickup)
3. Deduct everything, and let your Lyft net loss reduce your taxable income.

[kylee2437]

Those apps are rip offs. I used to do Uber eats until I realized that I’m making the same money I’d spend just to fill up my tank in gas after driving around for that money. I guess that’s the name of the game. You have to remember these apps were made for the company to be the money maker of the overall job.

[Curmudgeon]

Doordash is a tad better than Uber Eats, just as Lyft is a tad better than Uber, but these are definitely only good as side gigs when you have spare time, and they should *not* be a full time occupation.

[kylee2437]

@Curmudgeon agreed. I did do it as a side hustle but realized I’m better off just enjoying my day off lol you don’t realize how rip off these companies really are until you work for them and the math doesn’t add up to how much everything costs for a customer

[Asker]

@Curmudgeon I got laid off and was not able to get unemployment since I was there only 3 months. I needed to pay rent and bills. I have a job don't start till middle of December.

[Curmudgeon]

Hi Asker, I just posted my longer answer above.