“I had a rider that left a tarantula.” Plus, our other top fall stories.

If you have the privilege of stepping into Nicole Hood’s car in Austin, just remember a few key rules: Wear your seat belt. This ride is a safe space. And, if possible, try not to forget your tarantula.

About that: A few years ago, on Halloween, she was driving a couple home from a costume party. After dropping them off safe and sound, she received a phone call. The man on the other end of the line told her, “I’m the worst dad in the world.” He had taken his son’s pet tarantula as an accessory to his Bond villain costume and left it in a container in the door of her car. She circled back, and sure enough, the rider found the pet/prop right where he left it.

This admittedly extreme example demonstrates what endears Nicole to her riders: friendliness, a willingness to go the extra mile (she’s the driver who’s returned the most lost items in Austin), and a motherly sense of care for all who ride in her car.

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Lyft program increases UMich late-night rides by 300%

The University of Michigan recently contracted Lyft to provide students with a new curb-to-curb late-night transportation option to complement its existing offerings. Only weeks into the new semester, the program has had dramatic results: Thousands of students have entered the program, and Lyft rides in Ann Arbor are roughly twice the level they were in 2024 and nearly three times what they were in the evening hours.

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Which school goes out the most on Halloweekend?

Halloween is one of Lyft’s busiest nights of the year. This is particularly true at college campuses, where the holiday stretches across the whole weekend. But which school goes out most on Halloweekend? Our data reveals that the university with the most Halloween spirit is… See the list.

NYC leaf peepers’ two new top destinations

The pandemic, which put a pause on international travel, encouraged New Yorkers to explore their backyards. But they’re continuing to return to the Hudson Valley in bigger and bigger numbers. What’s more, according to Lyft’s data, their destinations have shifted. 

Pre-2020, towns on the east side of the Hudson River, like Tarrytown (a stone’s throw to spooky Sleepy Hollow) and Beacon (home of the popular Dia Beacon art museum), attracted the most Lyft riders. Since 2021, however, two towns in particular have seen a spike in rideshare activity: Newburgh and New Windsor, both on the west side of the river. For example, rides to Storm King, the outdoor sculpture museum in New Windsor, are 150% of their pre-pandemic levels.

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Thanks for reading!

~ Rev Staff