July 25, 2017
Taco Bell and Lyft have announced a new collaboration today. Lyft is testing out a Taco Mode that would include a ride thru a taco bell along your route. At first glance this seems like an awesome idea. A late night roll to Taco Bell scenario that plays out routinely on many Fridy nights. In this case however, the driver is presumably more sober than most late night revelers. The announcment has been met with some mixed reviews. The most vocal complaints coming from Lyft Drivers that would be obligated to sit in a Taco Bell drive thru  rather than getting people to their destination.  The only complaints from riders seems to be that Taco Bell is the only option.

Introducing a Late-Night Ride-Thru

“We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Taco Bell providing passengers with a unique ride-thru experience. The partnership brings to life a first-of-its-kind offering — Taco Mode — that will delight consumers by bringing them to a Taco Bell drive-thru in a Lyft ride.

Taco Mode is an in-app option for Lyft passengers seeking the ultimate Taco Bell experience — including a free Doritos Locos Taco when you ride-thru Taco Bell on the way to their next destination. Drivers are also not required to participate, but can choose to opt-in if interested.

We are testing Taco Mode in Orange County, California, July 27-30 and August 3-6, 2017, between the hours of 9 PM and 2 AM. We will then gather and evaluate feedback from both drivers and passengers and use this to inform any further expansion into additional markets by year’s end. As of now, there is a planned, nationwide rollout in 2018.

Taco Bell and Lyft are two like-minded brands at the forefront of technology and innovation. This extraordinary partnership infuses the culinary world into the ride-sharing cultural movement, making a late-night run for tacos more convenient — and fun — than ever.  “