Lyft has announced plans to open a new technology hub in downtown Toronto in the second half of 2026, reinforcing its commitment to expand beyond its core U.S. market. The upcoming Toronto office will become Lyft’s second-largest technology center after San Francisco, signaling the importance of Canada in the ride-hailing company’s global strategy.
The new hub, located in Toronto’s financial district, will host several hundred employees across engineering, product, operations, and marketing teams. The expansion highlights Lyft’s intention to tap into the city’s vibrant tech talent pool and strengthen its operations in one of its fastest-growing international markets. Lyft did not reveal the specific number of employees.
According to the company, rides in Canada grew by more than 20 percent in the first half of 2025, compared with a year earlier. Lyft first launched its ride-sharing services in Toronto in 2017 and has since expanded its footprint across the country. In addition to its ride-hailing business, Lyft operates bikeshare programs in Ontario and Quebec, including Bikeshare Toronto, and has teams in Longueuil and Montreal.
The Toronto tech hub announcement comes as Lyft continues its global expansion efforts. Earlier in 2025, the company acquired European mobility platform FreeNow from BMW and Mercedes-Benz for approximately $200 million, gaining a major foothold in the European market.
Lyft also opened a new global tech hub in Barcelona under the FreeNow brand, which employs several hundred workers and is expected to grow further.
In a separate deal, Lyft recently expanded into the high-end transportation market by acquiring TBR Global Chauffeuring for £83 million ($111 million) in cash plus contingent costs. The move adds a luxury chauffeur service operating in over 3,000 cities across 120 countries, enhancing Lyft’s premium mobility offerings.
These investments reflect Lyft’s strategy to diversify revenue streams, enhance its international presence, and position itself as a global mobility leader beyond its U.S. base.
With a global workforce of 2,934 employees at the end of 2024, Lyft’s latest investments in Toronto and beyond mark a significant step toward diversifying its operations and accelerating international growth in the evolving global mobility market.
Lyft has maintained a steady but modest pace of employee growth in recent years. As of early 2025, the company employs roughly 2,900 to 3,000 people in its core operations, with total headcount including sales and support teams reaching about 8,900 worldwide. The company has added around 300 new hires while seeing a similar number of departures, suggesting a relatively stable workforce. Lyft is also expanding internationally, with a new technology hub planned for Toronto that will employ several hundred engineers, product specialists, operations, and marketing staff. At the same time, the company has trimmed some areas, such as a small workforce reduction in its bike and scooter division to align with profitability goals.
Lyft’s financial health has improved, with 2024 revenue reaching about $5.8 billion — up roughly 31 percent year-on-year — and its first full-year profit after years of losses. Revenue per employee has surpassed $1.2 million, reflecting efficiency gains and cost control.
Salaries at Lyft vary widely by role. Engineering and product positions at headquarters command some of the highest packages in the tech industry, with senior software engineers earning between $200,000 and $700,000 per year including bonuses and stock. Mid-level and customer-support employees earn significantly less, averaging between $52,000 and $95,000 annually. Hourly support staff typically earn $25–$45 an hour, depending on experience and location, Glassdoor report said.
Outside corporate employment, Lyft relies heavily on gig workers—its drivers—who face ongoing controversy over pay and treatment. Many drivers report that actual take-home pay falls below minimum wage once expenses like fuel, maintenance, and insurance are deducted. Investigations and lawsuits have highlighted misleading claims about driver earnings. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission fined Lyft $2.1 million for exaggerating driver income potential, and the company has faced similar scrutiny in states such as New York, where it was required to provide minimum pay and sick leave benefits to drivers. AP News report said.
Employee satisfaction within Lyft’s corporate structure appears mixed. Reviews from current and former employees cite positive culture and flexibility in some teams, but also frustrations about workload, management expectations, and uneven compensation across departments. Customer support workers in particular have described the pay as below industry average. Among drivers, complaints about transparency are widespread, especially concerning how Lyft calculates its commission and the share of each ride that goes to drivers, according to reports on Reddit.
Rajani Baburajan
