(Last Updated 7/8/2020) Ridesharing – Do you Lyft or Uber? Plus, description of the 2016 Lyfties Awards.
Original Post
Various friends periodically mention to me that they utilize Lyft and/or Uber ridesharing services. I have yet to give it a try – but I envision needing to do so at some point this year. Your experiences and insights would be helpful.
Since I had been thinking about downloading either the Lyft or Uber app, I was interested when I saw an article in the Sacramento Bee about the 2016 Lyfties Awards – the most popular location drop-offs by Lyft drivers.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
Sacramento is among the 24 locations in which Local Lyfties were awarded. I was very interested to learn the Sacramento winners – all are in downtown or midtown:
- Restaurant – LowBrau, 1050 20th Street. LowBrau is a modern take on the traditional German Bierhalle. Lowbrau’s house-made sausages are crafted next door at the Block Butcher Bar.
- Bar – Dive Bar, 1016 K Street. The Dive Bar features live mermaids or mermen swimming in the huge aquarium above the bar from time to time – hence the establishment’s name.
- Event Center – Golden 1 Center, 500 David J. Stern Walk. Home of the Sacramento Kings.
- Transit Stop – Sacramento Valley Station, 401 I Street. In continuous operation since 1926, the historic Sacramento Valley Station is the nation’s 7th busiest rail station.
As an aside – I was very surprised that Sacramento International Airport was not on the list – and then it occurred to me that it is not within the city limits.
My guess that the Sacramento International Airport would rank first in the “Transit” category if it was actually in Sacramento proper.
- Only in Sacramento – Coin Op Game Room, 908 K Street. Coin Op Game Room features food, drink and classic arcade games.
- Trending – Bottle & Barlow, 1120 R Street. Bottle & Barlow combines a full bar and barbershop.
Looking at the list of winners my guess is that not having to worry about drinking, driving and parking are the main reasons to use a ridesharing service.
Do you Utilize the Ridesharing Services of Either Lyft or Uber?
- If you Lyft or Uber – do you have a preference between the two? If so, why?
- If I am only going to download one of the two apps – which do you recommend?
- Do you utilize a ridesharing company other than Lyft or Uber?
- What has been your experience using a ridesharing service?
- Were you ever out and about and had concerns about getting a ride home?
Thanks for your insights!
Updates
(UPDATED 7/8/2020) Uber recently sold its Jump rideshare business to Lime.
(UPDATED 12/27/19) Broken link removed.
(UPDATED 7/3/18) Both Lyft and Uber have moved to diversify the transportation services they offer. Following in the footsteps of Uber, Lyft recently announced that it is buying the core operations of Motivate, the parent company of several bike-sharing programs with contracts in a number of large cities (New York City, Chicago, etc.). In April, Uber entered the bike-sharing business when it bought Jump – which now operates in Sacramento.
(UPDATED 2/17/2017) I recently started utilizing the services of Lyft. The app is easy to use, the drivers have been very nice, and the price is right!
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Have both. Both are superior to taxis. To see the driver and the car and their ratings by prior customers and the full price before you select them. You can see the car and know exactly where it is and when it will arrive. Then at the end you just get out of the car. There is no fumbling for receipts or credit cards. Bill is sent thru app and you pay on your phone.
Of the two, Lyft is better. The GPS is superior so the pin drops at the precise location you are. The drivers say they like lyft better.
Thanks Maureen. Good to know. I value your opinion!
I only use Lyft. There are a few reasons:
1- drivers prefer Lyft
2- the Uber CEO has a terrible reputation
3- Lyft permits tipping through their app but with Uber you have to tip via cash (defeats the cashless experience)
4- Lyft is less expensive
Generally, I take a taxi when leaving an airport because they are already there. Also, SMF has set up all sorts of rules for drivers that it’s been a mess for the last year but it is getting better.
Finally, both ride sharing services have their negatives. The regulations are less restrictive than for cabs putting a lot of hardworking people out of business after they’ve had to invest tens of thousands of dollars on taxi licensure.
Also, while both companies claim they do background checks, there’s nothing requiring them to do a check with fingerprints. A new CA law does require that these companies not contract with drivers that have DUIs, violent felonies or sex offenses, but i am personally not 100% confident that that’s happening or going to happen. In short, some of my drivers have been very weird in a possibly drugged out sort of way, one yelled, others have sped, once someone decided to make a lot of racist comments, and some cars are filthy. While their rating systems are meant to weed these drivers out eventually, they still get their initial start so you’re taking a risk no matter how you look at it. Taxis are held too a much different standard, but to be fair, I’ve been in my fair share of dirty, smelly or strange driver taxis too. But, i know for a fact that at least they all have clear criminal histories.
Thanks for your comment.
I will only use Lyft for many reasons. I’ll explain more to you in person.
The company also does not screen their drivers as well as Lyft.