Lyft is not just for those who need a ride to their friend’s house for a pajama party, or for those who need a ride to their favorite shopping mall, but also for business travelers. In this story, discover how Lyft is making the business travel experience even more worthwhile.
Cashback program updated
Mobility platform, Lyft’s Freenow, has introduced updates to the cashback program that allows business travelers to earn five percent cashback on each trip. Isn’t that incredible?
This program is valid until this December 31st. Travelers who complete a business ride using their business profile will obviously get a five percent cashback on each fare, which is up from the previous rate of two percent. They could use this for their next private trip, too. Marvelous!
This cashback is credited upon completion of the business trip, Lyft is saying. Passengers could view this under “Vouchers & Credits” in the Freenow app. Credits accrued from business trips could only be redeemed for personal trips. You could not use this for future business trips, however.
"We designed our cashback programme to be the ultimate win-win. Employees get a tangible, personal reward for a ride they’re already taking for work and employers increase compliance with their travel programme,” stated Daniel Barthuly, the business travel head at Freenow by Lyft.
Germany-based Freenow was acquired by American ridesharing specialist Lyft in April in a deal worth around $200 million.
Booted away from the app? Listen up
Drivers just couldn’t do anything when they’ve been banned from the ridesharing app they are in. Especially if the companies still consider them “independent contractors,” they couldn’t do anything when they’ve been booted.
“They’re being fired, without notice and without due process,” stated Elizabeth Koo, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s director of economic justice initiatives. “Losing your job shouldn’t happen without process.”
Fortunately, this team and the New York Taxi Workers Alliance are doing their best to prevent drivers from getting booted.
They recently did a survey wherein they found out that only two percent of Lyft drivers and five percent of Uber drivers get their way back to the app after appealing a decision by the app to kick them off there. The survey involved 341 deactivated drivers.
They also found out that 70 percent of Uber drivers and 76 percent of Lyft drivers were deactivated without any prior notice that there had been a complaint or an issue with their performance. Yikes!
“The absence of notice, explanation, or appeal rights related to deactivations violates basic principles of fairness and workers’ dignity,” Koo further told Ridesharing Forum. “Policymakers should enact and enforce just-cause protections for New York City’s 84,000 active rideshare drivers to ensure that no driver is deactivated without legitimate reason, transparency or due process.”
But, did you notice something? Surveys could only do so much. These organizations needed to do more action. What are your insights? Sign up for your account today on the Ridesharing Forum site to join the discussion.