Lyft Announces New Ridesharing Guidelines

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Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. stipulate / ˈstɪp yəˌleɪt / (v) – to state as a part of a contract or an agreement
    Example:

    The company rules stipulate that employees who have been absent for three consecutive days must submit a note from a doctor.


  2. mandate / ˈmæn deɪt / (v) – to order or require someone to do something
    Example:

    Hospitals throughout the country were mandated to provide free medical checkups to citizens.


  3. peace of mind / pis əv maɪnd / (n) – the state of being free from worries
    Example:

    I don’t bring my work home so I can have peace of mind at night and on weekends.


  4. directive / dɪˈrɛk tɪv / (n) – an instruction or order given by an authority
    Example:

    The company’s IT department received a directive to improve the security settings of all electronic devices in the office.


  5. sanitation / sæn ɪˈteɪ ʃən / (n) – the process of making things clean
    Example:

    The sanitation expert advised the public to wash hands thoroughly before eating.


Article

Read the text below.

Ridesharing company Lyft released new guidelines last May for its drivers and passengers.


The guidelines stipulate that both drivers and passengers must agree to wear masks for the entire ride and to inform Lyft if they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms. Additionally, drivers are mandated to keep their vehicles clean, maximize air circulation in the car by rolling down windows, and sanitize as much as possible. Passengers are also prohibited from sitting in the front seat.


Anyone who disobeys the guidelines will have their Lyft accounts suspended.


Angie Westbrock, Lyft’s coronavirus task force head and Vice President of Global Operations, explained that the new guidelines were implemented to help give drivers and passengers peace of mind amid the coronavirus pandemic. She said that all members of the Lyft community must do their part to ensure everyone’s safety.


According to Westbrock, the company is always trying to make improvements for both its passengers and drivers. The directive requiring drivers and passengers to wear masks was the first step that Lyft has taken to address the pandemic.


To implement the new guidelines, Lyft set aside $2.5 million for drivers’ masks and hand sanitizers. These supplies were distributed to various places throughout the United States where Lyft drivers could pick them up.


Apart from the sanitation supplies, Lyft is also offering free online healthcare and coronavirus screenings to drivers who do not have health insurance. The company is also providing financial assistance to drivers diagnosed with the coronavirus.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think Lyft’s new guidelines are enough to ensure the welfare and safety of both drivers and riders? Why or why not?
• Do you think allowing Lyft drivers to still operate during the pandemic is a good idea? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• What should businesses consider when creating guidelines during a health crisis or pandemic? Discuss.
• If you were a business owner, how would you ensure that everyone follows the guidelines you create? Discuss.