Skip to main content

Lyft refers drivers to Amazon jobs as ridership demand dives

With the coronavirus outbreak causing rider numbers to plummet for services like Lyft and Uber, operators are looking for ideas to keep their drivers working in ways that will also benefit the community in these challenging times.

Lyft, for example, recently revealed an initiative that will see some of its drivers delivering medical supplies and meals to people affected by shelter-in-place orders enacted as part of measures to slow the spread of the virus, formally known as COVID-19.

And now the same company is encouraging its drivers to consider offering their services to Amazon during the crisis, taking up roles that include deliveries or picking orders at one the online shopping giant’s many warehouses.

The partnership between Lyft and Amazon means drivers can start within seven days of applying, with no résumé or previous work experience required. Pay starts at $17 an hour, which includes an extra $2 an hour through April. Drivers were told about the initiative by an email sent in the last few days.

Lyft is thought to have around 1.4 million drivers on its books, but the pandemic has left many with a dwindling number of rides, hammering their income. Depending on a driver’s location, the Amazon partnership could offer a lifeline until the worst of the pandemic passes and life returns to normal in U.S. cities.

In mid-March, Amazon announced plans to take on more than 100,000 new workers for its warehouses and delivery network in the U.S. in a bid to meet the surge in demand caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The move comes amid reports of some of its warehouse workers testing positive for the virus, a situation that, if it worsens, could put Amazon’s massive and finely tuned shipping operation under great pressure — at a time when customers need it most.

Lyft drivers are still receiving ride requests, though nowhere near as many as usual. In areas locked down, most rides currently include getting people to grocery stores and pharmacies, or medical professionals to their place of work, as well as caretakers to family members in need.

Ridesharing rival Uber, for its part, has told its drivers to consider switching to its Uber Eats meal delivery service while rider numbers remain low.

Both companies have suspended their carpool options to try to reduce contact between people and slow the spread of the virus.

We’ve reached out to Lyft for more information on its latest move encouraging its drivers to assist Amazon and will update this piece when we hear back.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Amazon sues 10,000 Facebook groups over fake reviews
Amazon logo on the headquarters building.

When it comes to reviews on Amazon and similar shopping sites, most people have by now developed their own approach to dealing with them.

Some use a blend of instinct and experience to decide if what they’re reading is genuine, while others scan a broad selection to try to get an overall feel for a product’s reputation. Of course, some folks simply ignore them altogether.

Read more
Amazon eying October for another Prime shopping event, reports say
best amazon tech deals 5 25 2017 online tablet shopping

This year’s Prime Day sale starts on July 12, though new reports suggest Amazon is also planning another Prime shopping event for later in the year.

The e-commerce giant has been telling sellers about a “Prime Fall Deal Event,” according to reports from CNBC and Business Insider.

Read more
Amazon goes after two firms allegedly selling fake reviews
Amazon logo on the headquarters building.

With so many fake reviews plaguing online shopping sites these days, confirming the true quality of a product is as challenging as ever.

Amazon knows all too well that fake reviews dent the integrity of its site, with a growing number of shoppers unable to trust the opinions left by others about products they're considering buying.

Read more