Lyft Spending $100 Million On New Network of Driver Support Centers

Human drivers are still needed.

Lyft  is ready to invest $100 million to better support its drivers. The company is specifically putting this money toward cheaper oil changes, basic car maintenance, serviced car washes and more. Lyft will also almost double its operating hours at its driver hubs in 15 cities throughout the nation. In the past, the hubs were in operation for around 35–40 hours a week, but Lyft said it would be increasing that to over 70 hours a week.

The idea is to help drivers make more money and maximize their earnings by offsetting the costs of driving. Other benefits will include car and SUV rentals, tax education and more.

This is the latest effort on the company’s part to lower costs for its drivers. Since they are independent contractors, they have to pick up all of these costs, so the driver hubs will help support them a bit when it comes to additional costs that eat into their earnings.

In the meantime, the company is beginning to draw up plans for a spate of next-generation hubs that it hopes to break ground on very soon. A spokesperson said that initial plans call for around 30 new centers.

Lyft also says it expects to more than double its driver base in the next five years. Currently, Lyft has 1.4 million drivers, according to its latest economic impact report.

“Just as advancements in aviation technologies haven’t reduced the need for pilots or flight staff, there’s still security in the future for the 1.4 million people who depend on driving for an income,” Lyft COO Jon McNeill wrote in a blog post. “We are in the business of supporting our drivers for the long haul. Period.”

McNeill said Lyft plans to break ground on the new Hubs this summer.

Source: TechCrunch