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What's It Like to Be a Lyft Driver in L.A.?
A person claiming to be an L.A. Lyft driver took to Reddit yesterday and fielded questions about the job, and it turns out that fist-bumping the passengers is mandatory. And so are the stupid mustaches.
For you LAist readers who are “actors” who are looking for a “side job,” the Reddit user, whose handle is hyypaa, said that the hourly pay is a minimum of $15 an hour, with compensation rising as high as $25 an hour during peak times - which sounds pretty good for just driving people around, except that Lyft doesn’t reimburse drivers for gas and car maintenance. (Another Reddit user pointed out that, at the standard federal mileage rate of 56.5 cents a mile, driving 20-30 miles in an hour costs $10 to $15, which would seem to take a big chunk out of a driver’s pay.)
But hyypaa didn’t have many complaints - the most unusual ride included “a stripper and a hooker” - and defended the company from allegations that it’s an exclusive service for rich people who can afford smartphones.
“We do not pick and choose passengers - a passenger's wealth has no weight on if we'll pick them up,” the Redditor wrote.
However, he also noted that “we have every right to cancel on a request if we feel the situation is unsafe due to the passengers, route, or destination.”
And by the way, while the drivers can "hang out in Los Feliz," Lyft won’t currently pick you up east of the 5. Which is the Eastside. (We think.)
Related:
California Becomes First State To Regulate Lyft, SideCar And Uber
Taxi Drivers Protest Ride-Shares, Circle City Hall
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