Wait time fees are covertly added by Lyft to most rides.

In order to compete with rival Uber, which has had wait time fees since 2016, Lyft has secretly added them for all rides.

According to a Lyft spokesperson, "the wait time cost was instituted recently," who also verified that Lyft now charges clients a wait fee starting two minutes after the estimated pickup time for most rides.

According to Lyft, additional fees "depending on how busy it is" may be assessed.
Certain rides, such as shared, accessible, and assisted rides, as well as canceled rides, are exempt from these fees.

The company states online that "Wait time fees may be imposed at a per minute rate when your driver has arrived at the pickup location and has been waiting for more than 2 minutes" (5 minutes for Lux Black and Lux Black XL [ride]).
"Fees may apply 2 minutes after the initial anticipated pickup time if a driver arrives early."

The wait time costs charged by Lyft may vary depending on where you are, and the company refuses to give an estimate of what you can anticipate paying.

If a rider's disability affects their ability to board a vehicle within two minutes of the driver's arrival at the pickup location, they may submit a waiver for exemption from wait time fees and should receive a refund upon request, according to Lyft. Riders who typically require more time to board a vehicle may also do so. 

This most recent adjustment reflects Uber's wait time policy, which charges clients a per-minute price beginning two minutes after arrival for the majority of rides, with an additional three-minute buffer for Uber Black and SUV trips, which start charging a fee five minutes after arrival.

Particularly at crowded pickup locations like airports, two minutes might not be enough to get to the car.
Think about scheduling your next airport Uber or Lyft in advance. Both companies let customers schedule rides up to 30 days in advance at a certain time. This will help you avoid paying a fee.

While Lyft's service requires you to reserve a 10-minute pickup window, Uber Reserve provides up to 15 minutes of wait time at no extra cost.