Lyft Rolls Out Teen Accounts, Over Two Years Behind Uber

Lyft is officially rolling out its teen accounts nationwide, a move that brings the ride-sharing company in line with competitor Uber. The new feature allows passengers between the ages of 13 and 17 to book rides, with enhanced safety protocols designed to reassure both parents and drivers.

Lyft CEO David Risher stated the company took its time with the launch to “get it right,” emphasizing the development of communication tools for parents and drivers. “We’ve been really thoughtful as we’ve talked to parents and teens to come up with a product that meets what they both want,” Risher explained. The program includes features like PIN verification for ride confirmation, real-time trip tracking, and ride recording capabilities. Drivers eligible to transport teen passengers will be required to maintain a high rating and have a minimal number of rider complaints.

Uber introduced its own teen accounts in May of last year and has since expanded the service to over 50 countries. Lyft’s entry into this market segment signifies a strategic effort to capture a younger demographic and broaden its user base.

Beyond the teen accounts, Lyft has been actively expanding its footprint. In the past year, the company acquired European taxi app Freenow for approximately $200 million and also brought a global chauffeuring service under its umbrella. These acquisitions signal Lyft’s ambition to diversify its offerings and explore new geographical markets, moving beyond its traditional ride-sharing model.

However, Lyft operates in an increasingly competitive landscape, particularly with the rapid advancement of autonomous vehicle technology. Alphabet-backed Waymo has emerged as a leader in this space, launching its own teen accounts last summer and operating in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Waymo has already facilitated hundreds of thousands of paid rides and is actively testing its autonomous vehicles in new markets, including New York City, with human drivers present during testing phases.

Industry giants like Uber are also making significant strides in the autonomous vehicle sector. Uber has partnered with Waymo and secured a substantial robotaxi deal with Lucid and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro. Tesla, meanwhile, has launched a robotaxi pilot program and is reportedly testing vehicles without human safety monitors.

Lyft is not standing still in the face of this technological evolution. The company has existing partnerships with Mobileye and is collaborating with Tensor Robocar, utilizing Nvidia technology, with plans for service launches in 2027. Furthermore, Lyft will integrate Waymo rides into its platform in Nashville this year.

Risher articulated Lyft’s strategy, stating, “Our goal is to be, is to create the best possible trends for riders and, frankly, the lowest cost way for AV tech to be deployed on the platform.” He believes Lyft is well-positioned for future autonomous vehicle demand but acknowledges the nascent stage of adoption and the remaining regulatory and technological hurdles. Risher anticipates that autonomous rides could constitute as much as 10% of Lyft’s business by 2030, a significant, albeit long-term, projection.