Lyft News

Lyft Expands Health Safety Program with Recommended Vehicle Cleaning Process for Drivers

Oct 1, 2020

The health and safety of the Lyft community is our priority, and we’re committed to ensuring drivers and riders have the information they need to protect themselves and those around them from COVID-19. That’s why today, we’re announcing our new clean ride guide, a recommended vehicle cleaning process created specifically to fight SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on car surfaces. The cleaning process was developed in collaboration with P&G Professional, the away-from-home division of Procter & Gamble, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), a leader in combating viral pathogens.

The rideshare-specific cleaning process is the latest initiative of Lyft’s Health Safety Program – policies, commitments, and products designed to establish new health and safety standards for ridesharing based on CDC guidelines. 

Lyft’s clean ride guide offers guidance for drivers on how to effectively clean and disinfect each surface in their vehicle, including step-by-step instructions for both rider and driver spaces as well as partitions, which Lyft is currently rolling out to drivers across the country. The guide also includes recommended cleaning supplies, all of which can be found on the EPA's List N, a comprehensive list of disinfectants that have demonstrated effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 or similar pathogens. 

In addition to rolling out this recommended cleaning process for drivers to use to sanitize their own cars, drivers in select cities have the option for Lyft to disinfect their vehicles for them. 

In San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, Denver, Phoenix and San Diego, drivers can visit a local Driver Center to receive disinfectant services for their vehicle using a hospital-grade cleaning solution that the EPA expects to kill the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 when used as directed. 

Drivers in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Atlanta, Houston and Philadelphia regions also have access to free mobile vehicle disinfection by Lyft’s Mobile Service, our team of mobile technicians who serve the driver community by providing contactless vehicle maintenance at drivers’ homes. This year alone, the Mobile Service team has performed over 6,000 services for drivers. 

“As drivers continue to use Lyft as a flexible earning opportunity, we’re committed to equipping them with the information they need to guard against COVID-19,” said Angie Westbrock, VP of Global Operations and Head of Lyft’s COVID-19 Response Task Force. “We are constantly looking for ways to build upon our Health Safety Program to make the Lyft community feel as safe and comfortable as possible, and we hope our expanded disinfection services and unique partnership with P&G Professional and UTHSC will give both drivers and riders extra peace of mind during this time.” 

“As Lyft riders and drivers continue to get back on the road, we’re proud to offer drivers access to products that will help ensure a clean and disinfected space for themselves and their riders,” said Paul Edmondson, Vice President North America at P&G Professional. “By using trusted brands from P&G Professional in addition to Lyft's Health Safety requirements – including wearing face coverings and leaving windows open when possible – Lyft drivers and riders can feel more comfortable in their next ride.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for everyone, but we’re happy to work with companies like Lyft who are meeting the moment with new and innovative solutions. In partnership with Lyft and P&G Professional, we’ve helped create a new vehicle cleaning process specifically for rideshare to help drivers and riders feel safe traveling again. When followed correctly, the cleaning process will be effective in combating bacteria and viruses in vehicles,” said Donald B. Thomason, Dean from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Drivers can view and download Lyft’s vehicle cleaning process here, and learn more and book an appointment for vehicle disinfection through their local Driver Center or Mobile Service here