Buh-bye taxis – hello ride share.
The new form of transportation is here – and it is here to stay.
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past two years, ride sharing services like Lyft and Uber have completely taken over the taxi industry by providing people with a quicker, cheaper, more convenient alternative to private driving.
As opposed to a public transportation service, such as the bus or taxis, ride-sharing is just as it sounds – a means for people to share rides with one another. Every day people with average cars use their own vehicles to ferry people around on their free time for a fee. These drivers are hired by either Uber or Lyft as independent contractors. Each driver can drive as much or as little as they desire, as well as make their own schedule, making it a flexible way to generate extra income while utilizing their already owned vehicle.
Both of these companies operate solely from their smart phone apps and use GPS locators to match you up with a ride nearby instantly.
Although Lyft and Uber are extremely similar companies offering nearly identical services, there are a few subtle differences between the two companies that could help you decide which one to use.
Both Uber and Lyft offer several different kinds of car choices for your ride.
If you are just looking for a car to get you home from the bar late at night or to catch your early flight, then UberX or Lyft Standard is what you are looking for. This standard service will get you a private car ride to your destination.
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If you have a group of people needing to get to a concert downtown, then UberXL or Lyft Plus is what you need. This will guarantee a slightly larger ride in an SUV or Minivan that can seat up to six people – although this larger car does come with a slightly larger price tag.
If you aren’t in a huge rush and are ‘ballin’ on a budget’, then you should consider UberPOOL or Lyft Line. Both of these services are considered truer ride share opportunities, because it pairs you with other customers who need a ride and are going in the same direction. So, you will not get a private ride necessarily, as you may have to pick up an extra passenger on the way. This option is generally the cheapest option.
However, if you are looking for something a little more formal, then UberSELECT or UberBLACK is for you. This is for executives on business outings or even a fancy date night. UberSELECT will get you a private ride in a luxury car, such as an Audi, BMW or Mercedes, while UberBLACK, the most expensive option, will get you an all-black, luxury SUV.
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Given the services Uber and Lyft offer, they are nearly identical, except that Lyft does not offer the luxury car options. Other that, even the price differences are negligible (prices vary from city to city, but generally only differentiate by one cent per mile or so). Some other small differences are that Uber is a larger, more established company, Lyft drivers sometimes have candy or water to offer customers, Lyft passengers generally sit in the front seat making it a more informal experience, and Uber passengers generally sit in the back seat for a more formal experience.
The bottom line is that it really doesn’t matter which company you choose, both companies are considerably similar, and it may come down to whether or not both companies service the city you live in or not.
Articled Curated From:
TECH RADAR
