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How is Lyft Responding to Uber’s 180 Days of Change?

With all the new driver-friendly features Uber is rolling out under it’s ‘180 Days of Change’ initiative, we began to wonder when Lyft would roll out some driver-friendly features of their own. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long – Lyft has been working on upgrades to the driver platform for months. Today, senior RSG contributor Christian Perea outlines what drivers can expect to see in future Lyft driver updates.

Also, RSG is looking to hire! Do you know someone who is phenomenal at YouTube, can deliver consistent content, and is a good, reliable team player? If that describes you or someone you know, click here to read what we’re looking for and how to apply. 

Drive with Uber 1

Uber’s been rolling out a ton of new driver-friendly features lately as part of their “180 days of change” campaign to woo drivers back to the Big U. And since we already know that Lyft and Uber copy almost everything from one other, that means Lyft should also be rolling out some driver upgrades of their own to compete for the big spotlight with drivers too… although Lyft doesn’t have to copy Uber on tipping since they didn’t require a corporate meltdown to do the right thing on tipping their drivers.

Today, senior RSG contributor Christian Perea outlines what drivers can expect to see in future Lyft driver updates.

Make Every Mile Count

Did you know that every 1,000 business miles can generate $535 in tax deductions? Never miss another mile with the new QuickBooks Self-Employed automatic mileage tracker.

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Where Has All The Surge Gone?

Have you noticed you’re not getting as many Surge or Prime Time requests as you did in the past? There could be a reason for that. Today, senior RSG contributor Christian Perea analyzes what’s happening with Surge and Prime Time, why it’s happening and what drivers can do about it.

I think most drivers have noticed that there’s a lot less Surge on the road nowadays. Personally, I’ve noticed that over the last 6 months it’s almost completely disappeared in San Francisco. Where I once could reliably get a 2.0x in Soma everyday at 4 p.m. I can now only maybe get a 1.25x once or twice a week.

Are Surge and Primetime gone for good? We analyze what's been happening to Surge/PT, why, and what it means for drivers here -

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Will These New Features Make Driving for Uber and Lyft Better?

Uber and Lyft are competing to make their apps and driver efficiency better, but will these changes really improve the driver experience? Today, senior RSG contributor Christian Perea outlines potential upcoming changes to our Uber and Lyft driver apps – some that will make a big difference to drivers.

Over the next few days, Uber is set to announce even more information as part of their 180 Days of Change. Stay tuned for an announcement here on Tuesday, when Uber is set to unveil Chapter 3 of the 180 Days of Change.

We’ve seen competition heating up between Uber and Lyft ever since Uber started to put the heat on Lyft with their “180 Days of Change”. We’ve compiled a list and roundup of all the leaked screenshots, rumors, and tests that are going on for drivers that haven’t even launched yet. Whatever happens, hopefully we will get some more money out of it!

Uber and Lyft are almost always testing features among different drivers throughout different markets. Some of these features make it out to the public while some are quickly put back in a box and never heard from again. Right now though, both are testing a lot of interesting changes to their apps that I think have a strong chance of being rolled out to everyone.

And of course, we’ve already seen some big changes in the last few months. Tipping on Uber, 24 hour phone support, increased pay for Lyft Line rides, and showing PrimeTime on incoming requests.

All of these are part of a big push right now to make the app better for drivers.

Uber and Lyft are unveiling a lot of new features in the driver apps designed to increase driver retention, but do these features really benefit drivers?

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How Machine Learning Can Help Drivers Find Their Next Ride

Note: This article is sponsored by FarePilot. They’re a free app that provides drivers with locations and intel on where to go to get their next ride. I’ve found that it’s a useful app for when I don’t know where to go next after dropping off a passenger. Check it out here.  As always, all opinions are our own.

Whenever I hear about AI and machine learning in the context of rideshare driving it usually involves how we are all going to get replaced by robots. This unfortunately paints AI and machine learning in a pretty negative light to drivers because it more or less becomes synonymous with “unemployment.” Even if drivers can benefit from it today.

AI and machine learning isn’t all doom and gloom for drivers though. It’s reflective of new technology; and like any new technology it’s benefit at the end of the day depends on how humans use it as a tool. [Read more…]