Lyft Now Charges Riders for Making Drivers Wait

Lyft has introduced new charges for customers who keep their driver waiting.

A Lyft Help page outlines(Opens in a new window) the fresh fees that begin racking up on a per-minute rate two minutes after the original estimated pickup time.

The undisclosed toll, which allows Lux Black and Lux Black XL riders an extra three minutes of wait time, comes seven years after Uber introduced its own pick-up penalty.

“Wait time fees help keep our platform running smoothly,” according to a notice on the company’s Help page. “Try to be on time and ready to meet your driver when they arrive at the pickup location.” It’s unclear exactly how much Lyft plans to charge for late arrivals; additional charges may apply during peak times and vary by location.

Lyft’s levy has no bearing on early arrivals; it kicks in only at the originally scheduled collection time. Nor does it apply to specific ride types, including Shared, Access, Assisted, or Car Seat.

Riders with a disability, meanwhile, can apply to waive(Opens in a new window) wait-time fees for themselves, as well as those who frequently accompany them, if their condition requires more time to board a vehicle. Folks with a valid waiver will also be refunded for previous wait time charges, upon request.

Competitor Uber learned that lesson the hard way. In 2021, it agreed to pay millions to settle a Justice Department lawsuit accusing the rideshare firm of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by charging wait-time fees to riders who needed extra time getting to the car.