MONICA CARRILLO-CASAS
Survey reveals University of Idaho's Lyft Credit Program is a work in progress
There are currently 12 Lyft drivers, an increase from seven in September
Monica Carrillo-Casas, May 2, 2023
MOSCOW, Idaho– A recent survey sent out from the University of Idaho Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) states that 45% of students have not been able to obtain a Lyft ride through the Lyft Credit Program.
PTS sent out a survey April 20 to 812 students, who signed up for the Lyft Credit Program– a program that ensures a $30 credit for University of Idaho students– to allow them to share their experience using Lyft since its relaunch in Feb. 2023. Although not finalized, this survey revealed that 45% of students who requested a ride weren't fulfilled while 55% were.
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In a separate short survey conducted through Instagram— not associated with PTS— a couple students mentioned they would appreciate an increase of drivers at night after no luck through their Lyft Credit.
“This is beneficial, but it definitely needs more drivers by the end of the night,” an anonymous user said. “I was stranded one night when we couldn’t find a ride at 1:30 am.”
Another wrote they would be “luckier to find a taxi” than get a Lyft ride.
Although this information comes after PTS’s survey, Jennings said that Lyft drivers are not exclusive to U of I and are only in charge of maintaining the program.
“We don't have anything to do with hiring them, maintaining them, nothing,” Jennings said. “But the number of drivers is increasing, which we believe will probably help build infrastructure for Lyft.”
As of right now, the Lyft Credit Program is only available certain times of the week. According to PTS’s website, the $30 credit is only available 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Monday-Friday and 24 hours/day on Saturday and Sunday.
But Jennings wants to make it clear it was designed like this for a reason.
“Lyft is designed to work during the hours that we aren't paying for Smart Transit already,” Jennings said. “That makes sense because we just didn't want to double dip.”
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Kelly Jennings, information specialist of PTS, said they sent out this survey to get a better idea of how the Lyft Credit Program was working for students after having limited access to data since its launch. They received 166 responses, a response rate of 20%.
Lyft only collects that a ride came in and was fulfilled,” Jennings said. “We get information about the dates when it happens and the times that it happens, but we don't get any information about locations.”
This survey also showed that out of 158 rides, there have been 92 unique riders. Although it hasn’t been finalized, these are an estimation of how the Lyft Credit Program has progressed since the beginning of the Fall semester.
Lyft Pass was launched on Sept. 23, 2022 and limited two Lyft rides per student ($15 dollars for each ride). Lyft Pass was reintroduced as Lyft Credit on Feb. 23, 2023 allowing more flexibility for students after taking away the two-limit ride rule.
In addition, Jennings said they are looking to discontinue the program for the summer, but haven't finalized anything yet.
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"I mean, as a support to your education, generally speaking, it's possible that there will be students here in summer school who might still need it in the summertime," Jennings said. "It's also possible we'll just leave it going till the end of May and see what happens."