Starting May 5, Lyft riders in St. Louis may be able to step into a licensed taxi instead of a traditional rideshare car—all through the Lyft app.
As first reported by Bloomberg, the ride-hailing company is launching a new feature that pairs riders with taxis when they’re the fastest available option. Developers who dug into Lyft’s app code spotted this change before the company confirmed the news.
“We’re always exploring new ways to help riders get to the people and places they love,” Lyft said in a statement. “We’re excited to launch taxis onto our platform in St. Louis, which marks our first taxi integration in the U.S.”
Unlike Uber—where passengers can specifically choose to hail a taxi—Lyft’s system will automatically match users with a cab if it’s quicker than a standard rideshare vehicle. Riders who enable the feature might occasionally get a taxi when requesting select ride types. Fares, tips, and driver ratings flow through the Lyft app like any regular trip.
This addition adds more vehicle options to meet high demand and brings Lyft more in line with Uber, which has long included taxi partnerships in cities across the U.S. and abroad. Still, Lyft’s approach differs by emphasizing speed over choice: it’s about getting there sooner, not choosing a specific vehicle.
The move comes at a time of broader growth for the company. Last week, on April 16, Lyft announced it was acquiring FreeNow—a major European taxi app jointly owned by BMW and Mercedes-Benz Mobility—for $197 million. That deal is expected to significantly boost Lyft’s reach overseas, opening the door to operations in more than 150 European cities.
Analysts say the acquisition could nearly double Lyft’s global market potential, tapping into over 300 billion personal vehicle trips annually.
On the financial side, Lyft recently reported strong performance for the fourth quarter. According to February earnings data, total bookings jumped 15% year-over-year to $4.3 billion. That growth was powered by 218.5 million rides and a 10% increase in active users, reaching a record-breaking 24.7 million riders.
“We’re seeing great demand,” said Lyft CEO David Risher during the company’s earnings call on February 11. “We’re super excited about what lies ahead.”
With taxi integration rolling out and international markets opening up, Lyft is clearly doubling down on its commitment to flexibility, convenience, and global mobility. As cities grow and riders need to evolve, the company’s strategy is to steer it toward a future where ride options are more diverse and accessible than ever.
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