INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Lyft is committing $100 million to better support its drivers
The company is specifically putting this money toward cheaper oil changes, basic car maintenance, serviced car washes and more
Lyft will also almost double its operating hours at its driver hubs in 15 cities throughout the nation.
The idea is to help drivers make
more money and maximize their earnings by offsetting the costs of driving
Other benefits will include car and SUV rentals, tax education and more.
Lyft also says it expects to more than double its driver base in
Currently, Lyft has 1.4 million drivers, according to its latest economic impact report.
&Just as advancements in aviation technologies
haven&t reduced the need for pilots or flight staff, there still security in the future for the 1.4 million people who depend on driving for
an income,& Lyft COO Jon McNeill wrote in a blog post
&We are in the business of supporting our drivers for the long haul
Period.&
McNeill joined Lyft just earlier this year from Tesla, where he was president of global sales and service.
Given that a number of
Lyft drivers also drive for Uber, Lyft will likely tier some specific perks and discounts based on number of driver hours, a Lyft
spokesperson told TechCrunch.