Jobi.ngLyft, like all other ridesharing apps, has periods when demand is higher. This can be due to a variety of circumstances.
As a driver, you should be aware of Lyft’s peak hours, as this can significantly enhance your earnings.
Additionally, Lyft drivers are busiest during peak hours. Because this is when passengers have the most requests for rides and when drivers have the most pickups.
In fact, Lyft occasionally struggles to keep enough drivers on the road to meet peak demand. Continue reading this article if you want to discover when Lyft peak hours are.
What Are Lyft Peak Hours?
Lyft peak hours are times when Lyft drivers are in high demand. Lyft takes pride in keeping up with local events, special happenings, and high-demand events in each location.
For this reason, peak hours occur frequently. Large sporting events, for example, are held at venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York City or the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, even on Sunday nights.
When this happens, demand for Lyft drivers rises dramatically. Then Lyft will implement “Peak Hours” right away.
How do Lyft Peak Hours Work?
The peak hours differ per region. There are various rush hours, events, and levels of demand for Lyft drivers in each city.
Peak hours differ by area as a result of this disparity. In reality, they may differ in different parts of a huge city. On weekends, for example, peak hours in the downtown region of a larger city may increase in price, whereas the suburbs of the same city may not.
Furthermore, peak hours in the urban center are unlikely to occur at the same time on a weekday.
When Do Lyft Peak Hours Occur?
Lyft’s peak hours usually begin when demand is higher and more individuals are traveling. There will be a peak during morning and evening rush hours as people rush to and from work between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Peak times are also when a large number of individuals are out yet unable to drive. This happens on Friday and Saturday nights when people go out to pubs and clubs.
It occurs, on the other hand, when people are returning from bars and clubs. This occurs more frequently on weekends.
As a Lyft driver, you can see the peak hours in your city from the Lyft app. The hours tend to stay consistent each week, though special events can alter them. Lyft keeps a close eye on this, and they update the hours that appear in the driver app.
Ways to avoid surge pricing on Lyft Peak Hours
Book a Lyft ahead of time if you know you’ll need a ride during rush hour. Lyft’s smart scheduling function locks in a pricing for you. It could cost somewhat lower or higher, depending on how Lyft anticipates demand at that time and in that location.
If you know you’ll be departing during rush hour and your city has the schedule ahead tool, locking in your fare ahead of time will certainly save you a few dollars.
1. Use the other app
You can use other applications if the price of Lyft increases during busy hours. There are two possible outcomes.
You could be able to obtain a better deal on other apps, or you might get a higher price. In any case, compare the app to others before requesting a ride.
2. Try carpooling
Carpooling involves sharing a ride with strangers. Although it’d take longer than normal, it can still be a good way to avoid paying the huge fees that come with peak hours.
Lyft Line allow you to see exactly what you’ll be paying before you request a car, and while surge pricing applies, it’s not quite as costly as it would be if you requested your own car.
3. Walk
Sometimes, increased prices are concentrated on a very specific area. So, if you walk a bit, you can get a lower fare.
While walking, check which area gives you a cheaper rate and order your ride from there.
4. Wait
Some surge pricing happens suddenly and doesn’t last long. If a concert is getting out nearby, prices might surge for a half hour or so until all the concert-goers have dispersed. Waiting a bit and checking again can provide more affordable options.
5. Refer a friend and get a free ride
If you have a friend who hasn’t downloaded Lyft, you can refer them with your personalized offer code, and the both of you will get a free ride.
How to Predict Lyft Demand
It’s usually simple to forecast when a Lyft peak hour will occur, especially when big games or events are taking place. However, weather conditions, sporting events, concerts, holidays, and other circumstances that compel people to utilize Lyft instead of driving themselves might cause Lyft peak hours to change dynamically.
You’ll be able to sense when there’s a lot of demand as a Lyft driver. When you’re in driver mode, you’ll see a heat map of your city with light to dark pink tones depicting demand.
The darker the area, the greater the demand (and the higher the potential increase in prices). You can simply keep up to date on current events and situations.
It’s an excellent day to drive if it’s a holiday. When the weather is bad, it’s also a good time to drive because people who regularly walk will opt for Lyft.
If there’s a conference in town, then most people will likely need a ride when they are done for the day.
On the other side, Lyft riders don’t have access to the same tools that drivers use for checking demand. But you can still use the tools of logic and awareness to determine the trends in your city.
If you know there’s a concert going on downtown, make sure you travel before or after it. Don’t decide to go out right when the concert is ending, or you might end up paying a hefty premium.
When is the Cheapest time of a day to get a Lyft Ride?
The cheapest time of the day to get a Lyft ride is when there are no surges. Surges here refer to the time Typically, the price of taking a Lyft does not change throughout the day.
The base fare is primarily based on distance and duration, and the rate is set for each service type (e.g. Lyft Plus) and for each city.
Depending on how busy the drivers are, surge pricing can apply, and it is referred to as “Prime Time.” During these Prime Times, your fare can be applied to a multiplier that can increase what you pay. The Lyft app will warn you of this before you begin the trip.
If you are curious about the “cheapest time of day”, you may want to avoid these times where surges are possible.
They typically happen during unexpectedly busy times, and they often happen during commute times, during events, Friday and Saturday nights when people are out, etc.
What to Know Before Becoming a Lyft Driver
While the desire for money is a major reason to start driving for Lyft, here are major things you should know before you start.
1. Your actual earnings may be less than advertised
According to a 2016 NerdWallet survey of 14 of the major Lyft areas, Lyft drivers need to offer 84 rides per year to earn $50,000.
The amount of money you make is mostly determined by the number of hours you spend behind the wheel.
However, regardless of how much you work, you must consider the costs of maintenance, gasoline, repairs, insurance, taxes, and the commission that Lyft will charge. Lyft collects 20 to 25% of the fares from drivers.
2. Be familiar with “peak” hours in your area
Knowing when peak hours are in your area will help you earn more, because Lyft raises its rate for customers then.
Lyft calls it “Prime Time,” and it tends to be late at night or early in the morning.
Sometimes very late at night or very early in the morning especially during concerts, sporting events, festivals, conventions, trade shows, and such.
3. Keep your car clean
As a driver, you should consider keeping your car clean inside and out, at all times. This could mean weekly detailing and daily trips to the car wash.
4. Join a local Facebook group
Joining local Facebook groups for Lyft drivers is another thing you can do as a Lyft driver. If there is such a group, you can learn a lot about where and when to make the most money as a driver from them.
5. Make sure you can endure the rigors of the job.
The stiffness in the legs and backs that comes with driving for lengthy periods of time is one of the issues of being a driver. This may not be a good profession for you if you have underlying health difficulties.
6. You have time
Because you are your own employer, you have a lot of flexibility. It is therefore entirely up to you to live a happy, healthy, and balanced life. Being a Lyft driver allows you to focus on more important things.
7. Know your area very well
Knowing your area well is one of the most critical things you can do as a Lyft driver. Determine whether or not “Peak Hours” will have an impact on the area.
Also, if the city is small, don’t expect a lot of money during events such as festivals. As a result, it’s up to you to figure out how to make money in your location.
Become a Lyft Driver Today
To enjoy the extra cash that comes with Lyft peak hours, sign up to become a driver.
Conclusion
Peak hours matter to Lyft riders because going during them can boost the cost of your journey. This can lead to surge pricing, which can increase your bill by 1.5x, 2x, or even 3x in some situations.
