The cheapest option for Lyft users will be offered again in three U.S. cities on Monday, the company said Thursday. The return comes after pandemic restrictions have loosened in many cities around the country.
Lyft says the revamped “Shared” ride experience will launch first in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Denver, with more cities set to gain the option over the course of the coming months. The option was canceled in March 2020 by both Lyft and Uber.
The feature will have new Covid-related rules, though. All riders and drivers are required to wear masks, each Shared ride will be limited to two riders, the middle and front seat must be kept empty, eating or drinking are not allowed, and if anyone fails to follow the guidelines, the rider and the driver can cancel the ride without penalty.
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Lyft‘s shared rides feature will also have a few non-Covid-related updates, too. Riders will be able to choose “no surprise pickups,” which locks the route that they’re on, meaning that drivers won’t be able to pick up a new rider unexpectedly, in the middle of the passenger’s ride. Rides can also be booked up to 30 minutes in advance.
“As the country reopens, we want our most affordable ride option to be available to our riders,” said Lyft President and Co-Founder John Zimmer. “After a year and a half without Shared rides, people are going to love the updates we’ve made – no surprise pickups, knowing your full route before you get in, and a new option to book ahead.”
The decision, though, comes as the Delta variant of the coronavirus raises concerns in the U.S. and a new wave of infections moves through the population. As of Wednesday, around 59% of American adults are fully vaccinated, reports Reuters.
