Lyft introduces new features for favoriting (and blocking!) specific drivers

Lyft, the ride-share app, is introducing new personalization and safety features. These features give drivers more control over their trips, both good and bad.

Favorite Drivers and Blocking Option

Riders who have a particularly pleasant ride can now favorite specific drivers. The app’s algorithm will then try to reconnect them with that driver for future rides. On the other hand, riders can also completely block drivers they do not wish to ride with, giving them more control over their ride experiences.

New Safety Hub

These personalization features are part of a brand new safety hub on the Lyft app. This hub centralizes safety preferences such as in-vehicle audio recording, PIN verification for drivers, and app check-ins during rides. Users can access favoriting and blocking preferences under the new “Matching” section of the safety hub.

Uber has also announced new features focused on user control. Women Preferences, a new setting, allows women users and drivers to choose same-gender rides. This setting is currently being piloted in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit.