Buzz
For frequent riders, Lyft now offers a subscription plan that could save you over $100 each month: The All Access Plan.
The plan provides up to 30 rides a month for a flat fee of $299, with each ride capped at $15. If your ride exceeds this amount, you’ll pay the difference. Plus, you'll enjoy a 5% discount on any rides beyond the 30 included.
In the best-case scenario, this plan could save you $150 a month, assuming each ride costs $15. However, if your average fare is lower, like $8 per ride, the subscription might end up costing more than paying per ride. The break-even point is around $10 per ride for 30 trips.
If you don’t ride often, particularly if you take fewer than 10 rides per month, this plan is probably not the right choice. Remember, unused rides don’t carry over to the next month.
One of the key reasons Lyft introduced the subscription plan is to encourage people to reconsider the need for car ownership. As they put it, “This is the first step toward delivering on our goal of making car ownership optional, and we’re constantly looking for more ways to provide passengers with the easiest, most convenient options possible.”
Uber is also exploring a similar service, as reported by CNBC. “Details and pricing differ, but typically, riders pay between $4.99 and $15.99 for a flat discount on eligible rides.”
If you always manage to get a ride when needed, the $299 subscription (excluding driver tips) is much cheaper than the average monthly cost of owning a car, which ranged from $523 to $706 last year, according to AAA. Of course, this comparison oversimplifies the situation—if you have a family, for instance, this option may not be as cost-effective (or even feasible), since it’s for single rides and carpooling. However, it presents an intriguing choice for those who often use Lyft or want to reduce their car usage.
