Lyft testing new pay algorithm to lure drivers (Oct. 11) By Reuters

(Corrects Oct. 11 story to take away paragraph 7 and eight referencing a driver-led marketing campaign towards Uber as the data was dated. This story was corrected earlier to take away reference to Uber’s upfront pay system)

By Nivedita Balu

(Reuters) -Journey-hailing agency Lyft Inc (NASDAQ:) stated on Tuesday it was testing an earnings algorithm that can permit drivers in 18 U.S. cities to see vacation spot and pay particulars earlier than accepting a request.

The check follows an analogous transfer by larger rival Uber Applied sciences (NYSE:) Inc and underlines how the businesses are going the additional mile to repair driver shortages to make the most of a requirement surge introduced on by a return to workplace and journey because the pandemic.

Lyft drivers could have entry to particulars equivalent to drop-off areas, estimated distance and time, in addition to fare particulars earlier than accepting a journey. The corporate plans to broaden this service to extra cities via 2022.

Additionally it is investing to check filters that can permit drivers to set a most popular driving radius and provides them the choice to decide on their journey.

Drivers for ride-hailing corporations have been fighting larger gasoline and upkeep prices and have lengthy demanded the entry to such particulars.

“We’ll additionally design Upfront Pay over time to incorporate bonuses and incentives,” Lyft President John Zimmer stated.

Seeking to launch upfront pay “with out limitations”, Lyft stated a survey of over 1,000 drivers confirmed greater than 70% most popular the upfront pay mannequin to the earlier pay fashions.