Work · Lyft
Lyft Silver
Lyft Silver is a product designed specifically for older riders, an AARP-endorsed alternative that helps seniors keep their independence without getting behind the wheel. Launched nationwide in early 2025, it reimagines the ride experience around accessibility, confidence, and autonomy.
Self-serve adoption once familiar with the app (USC study)
More likely to have rides booked by someone else vs. younger riders
Higher no-show rate among older riders before product improvements
More likely to cancel when matched with a pickup truck
The problem
Older adults use rideshare far less than younger riders. Research showed a technology gap: unfamiliar interfaces, fear of doing the wrong thing, and reliance on caregivers. They are 55% more likely to have rides requested by someone else, with 15% of platform riders acting as caregivers for older adults.
Approach
The team's hypothesis: given the right tools, seniors can build confidence and use the app independently. Design and engineering focused on reducing cognitive load, adding human support when needed, and matching rides with vehicles that are physically easier to enter.
My contribution
I worked on the backend and product systems that power the Silver experience, from the redesigned home screen to growth mechanics that bring new senior riders onto the platform.
Silver home screen redesign
Redesigned the Silver app home screen with larger primary buttons and simpler messaging, reducing cognitive load so older riders can book with confidence.
Invite flows for new and senior users
Built the mechanism for sending invites to new and older users, integrating across internal messaging systems and handling new user types end-to-end on the backend.
Senior growth homecard
Led a comms initiative to onboard more seniors onto Lyft, shipping a backend-driven homecard placement offering first-ride discounts to first-time senior users, prompting them to book.
Screenshot coming soon
Screenshot coming soon
Screenshot coming soon
What we built
Simplified home screen with two primary actions (ride now and schedule later) plus 1.4× larger text for readability
Live "Get Help" support connecting riders to agents daily from 8am–9pm ET
Mandatory pickup and dropoff confirmation before a ride is dispatched
Reduced ride modes to Standard and Extra Comfort to avoid choice overload
Preferred vehicle matching that deprioritizes high step-height cars (e.g. pickup trucks) based on field research with seniors
Source
Under the Hood: Lyft Silver, Lyft Blog ↗