Lyft’s earnings-checking algorithm to allow drivers to see destination, payment details before accepting claims

Ride-hailing company Lyft on Tuesday said it is testing an earnings algorithm that will allow motorists in 18 US cities to view destination and payment details before accepting a request.

Test after a similar move by a larger opponent Uber Technologies and highlight how companies are going the extra mile to overcome driver shortages to capitalize on the surge in demand due to return to office and travel since the pandemic.

Lyft Drivers will have access to detailed information such as drop off location, distance and estimated time, as well as fare details before accepting a ride. The company plans to expand the service to more cities by 2022.

It is also investing to test filters that allow drivers to set their preferred driving radius and give them the option to choose their rider.

Drivers for ride-hailing companies have struggled with higher fuel and maintenance costs and have long demanded access to such detailed information.

“We’ll also be designing Prepay over time to include bonuses and incentives,” said Lyft President John Zimmer.

Meanwhile, Uber’s prepaid system has drawn criticism from drivers.

California-based driver Jude Wolfe says Uber is taking a larger share of drivers’ earnings, causing more people to quit their jobs and forcing others to travel long distances to pick up passengers as gas prices have dropped high.

“A lot of problems could be solved, if we didn’t have a requirement we would have to accept five of the last 10 rides to keep our advance details,” she said in a campaign. Translation for a fair share from Uber.

Lyft says a survey of 1,000 drivers looking to roll out “no limits” prepaid found that more than 70% preferred the prepaid model over the prepaid models.