Lyft Drops Feature Showing How Often Riders Tip Before You Accept a Ride

Lyft has ended a short-lived test that let some drivers see how often riders tip before accepting a ride.

“While this experiment showed early signs of improving the marketplace and helping riders to get to where they need to go on time, we heard our customers and canceled the experiment,” a Lyft spokesperson told NewsNation.

The feature sparked backlash on social media, with some riders threatening to stop using the app. “Guess Lyft is trying hard to lose business,” one Reddit user wrote. Another added, “Done with Lyft, I guess.”
For drivers, deciding whether to take a trip normally comes down to the fare, distance, and rider rating. Lyft’s test aimed to give an extra layer of insight, letting drivers see how often passengers tip and whether they usually arrive on time. Screenshots shared online read: “Rider tipped on 88 percent of rides” and “Rider is usually ready at pickup.”

The Lyft spokesperson said the experiment was intended to help drivers make “more informed decisions on the rides they accept.” While some drivers welcomed it, one Boston-based driver called it an “absolute game changer.” Many riders pushed back, concerned that tipping data might influence how drivers choose trips.

This comes at a time when tipping fatigue is on the rise. A recent Bankrate survey found 41 percent of Americans feel tipping has gotten out of control, up 6 points from 2024. Still, 43 percent said they always tip taxi or rideshare drivers, although the number drops to 23 percent for Gen Z riders.

Lyft did not say how many drivers were included in the test or how long it lasted. For now, drivers will continue relying on traditional factors, fare, distance, and rating, to decide which rides to accept.

Source: The Hill