Hailing a Lyft is about to mean something new. The ride-hailing company has announced an expansion of its extra-cost Lyft Pink service to include roadside assistance perks like getting a jump-start or some gas delivery. Users who are familiar with the way a ride-share vehicle can be seen approaching on your phone’s map will feel right at home as they watch a tow truck arrive. The new roadside assistance services are built into the standard Lyft app.
Lyft is expanding its services in part to compete with AAA. Lyft notes that anyone signing up for Lyft Pink can take advantage of the assistance right away without the waiting period that AAA requires. Lyft Pink customers are limited to four free service “events” a year, but note that two things being taken care of on one trip—gas and a tire change—will count as two events. After the first four events, or to people who aren’t Lyft Pink members, Lyft also offers these services for $71 each. Lyft does not offer its roadside assistance services in Nevada.
Both Lyft and AAA offer similar assistance services aside from those mentioned above, including changing tires, providing access to your locked car, and off-road rescue. Of course, since Lyft still operates its ride-hailing business, it can offer its Lyft Pink customers priority pickups and discounts on some rides.
Lyft’s expansion into services that help people with their personal vehicles stands a bit at odds with the company’s founding message that ride-sharing would lead to reduced personal vehicle ownership. In 2017, a study conducted at the University of Michigan found that in places where on-demand ride services were available, people were more likely to buy fewer cars and take fewer trips. But that doesn’t mean we’re all just riders in someone else’s car these days, and sometimes we still get stranded.