Lyft offers credits for rides into Manhattan during January

Lyft rideshare is offering a discount to customers who use its service into and out of Midtown and Lower Manhattan throughout January.

The discount coincides with the city’s congestion pricing program, which launched on Jan. 5. Lyft will give $1.50 toward a future rideshare or Citi Bike ride the following week through the rest of January 2025.

The company said it kicked off the promotion to help riders adjust to the new expense of the fees to enter most of Manhattan.

“As we step into 2025, we know everyone has new goals and places to explore,” Michael Brous, vice president of Lyft, said. “And we want riders to know we have their backs, no matter how they use our platform. So whether it’s making it easier to get to work with our Price Lock feature, to meet up with friends with one of our Citi Bikes, or to simply adjust to new fees, we‘re here to serve and connect all New Yorkers,”

A trip only needs to begin, end or pass through the congestion relief zone south of and including 60th Street to qualify for the credit, which will automatically be applied to a rider’s Lyft account to use on future trips, which is valid through the following week.

Lyft explained that riders have already been paying the Metropolitan Transportation Authority a $2.75 congestion fee for trips that start, end or pass through a separate congestion zone that begins below 96th Street in Manhattan. This fee has been in effect since 2019.

But now, with congestion pricing in full swing, riders will have to pay an additional $1.50. Both surcharges are flat, per-ride fees.

NYC rideshare users have mixed feelings about congestion pricing and the new discount. While some say saving money is important no matter how small the amount is, others say it does not help much.

“What is $1.50 savings going to do? I think a better incentive would be after five or so trips into the congestion zone, you get one free trip, assuming all trips are in the congestion zone,” Denise Suriano-Pacheco, a rideshare user from Staten Island, said.

But, every penny counts, according to Queens resident Jim Bennet, who uses rideshare services on special occasions.

“It is just getting too expensive to live in NYC,” he said. “Every little bit helps if I use Lyft two or three times a week. It can add up so I do appreciate it.”