People these days are so busy with work and school that it can be hard for them to find the time to squeeze in a ride on a Monday night out. But what do you do when you’re desperate to get from point A to B, and your car is at home? Well, if you’re in an urban metropolis like New York City or San Francisco, then your best bet is to use Lyft or Uber.
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What Is Lyft?
Lyft is a carpooling service with a twist: All drivers are friendly and chatty! It matches you up with another passenger going in the same direction. Lyft was founded in May 2012 and launched in San Francisco in August of that year. It has since expanded to at least 250 cities across the United States. Lyft usually operates as a stand-alone app, but it also offers a service where you can add Uber as an additional feature (for just $1).
What Is Uber?
Uber is an on-demand car service with more than 3 million users who use their smartphone apps to request rides. It was founded in 2009 as UberCab but changed its name to Uber in 2012. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and operates in a reported 37 countries. It’s currently valued at approximately $51 billion, making it the most valuable startup in the world.
So How Do You Start as A Driver?
To become a Lyft driver, you must fill out an online application, pass a background check, and own a car that meets their standards for safety. Drivers must maintain an above-average rating on the app to keep their jobs.
Uber drivers don’t need to own cars—they need to pass a background check and get the necessary license. Drivers can also add or remove Uber as an option right from their phone’s settings if they already have another driving service.
Lyft vs. Uber: Fees and Guidelines
As a Lyft driver, you will receive roughly 80% of the fare you charge, while Uber takes around 20%. Both of them have surge pricing, which means that if there is a high demand for rides in your area, your fares will also go up. If your rating goes below 4.5 stars and you don’t remedy it within two weeks, then you lose access to the app and are not allowed to drive for their services anymore.
Lyft vs. Uber: Ride-Sharing
Lyft and Uber are ride-sharing services that allow passengers to get rides without calling a taxi or hiring a private driver. However, Lyft and Uber differ in their rating system and the overall atmosphere of their services. Lyft drivers are encouraged to be friendly, fun, and up to the task of chitchatting with you while they drive you home. Lyft drivers are encouraged to make conversation and keep their ratings above 4.5 stars. Meanwhile, Uber rides are much more professional and quieter. You’ll have a straight shot to your destination and not have to worry about the conversation.
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Lyft vs. Uber: Mobile App
Both apps, “The Lyft” and “Uber,” are available to download on their respective app stores. The Lyft app design allows passengers to choose a driver and make a reservation. You can also choose to see what Lyft drivers are nearby or rate them compared to other drivers. The Uber app makes it easier for riders to find and request rides, track the driver’s vehicle, and access the functionality of the GPS location tracking system within their system.
Lyft vs. Uber: Safety Concerns
Safety is a significant issue for both companies, but it seems like Uber has made more progress than Lyft in dealing with it. Uber drivers must pass a background check and get the necessary license, so you don’t have to worry about the driver you book being untrustworthy or unsafe. As for Lyft drivers, most of them are familiar faces from your local area at this point, so they’ve already been reviewed by plenty of passengers and have a good reputation among their peers.
Lyft vs. Uber: Payment Methods
Uber passengers can only use their credit cards on the app, which is a convenient option in case you don’t have cash on hand and you don’t want to go through the process of withdrawing some from an ATM. Lyft drivers can only accept cash, which limits their ability to accept debit and credit cards.
Lyft vs. Uber: Where You Can Drive
There are several different cities in the U.S. that both companies operate in, but Lyft is available to you wherever Uber is working too. If you reside in an area where Uber doesn’t have a presence, you can still sign up as a driver and use their service by calling dispatch.
What Lyft Offers That Uber Doesn’t
Lyft offers a wider variety of cars than Uber does. Although Lyft drivers can choose to drive whatever car they want, the company provides options for drivers to rent classy convertibles or “over-the-top” vehicles for special occasions.
What Uber Offers That Lyft Doesn’t
Uber is more popular than Lyft, so you’re more likely to get a driver in your area. Uber offers an app that allows you to request rides on-demand. Lyft drivers are known for being friendly, but Uber’s rating system will enable you to choose your driver more quickly.
Conclusion
Uber is more popular than Lyft, and many people prefer using Uber because of its rating system and mobile app. However, Lyft offers customers more options for where they can ride, as well as cars. The friendly, chatty nature of Lyft drivers will appeal to some customers more than the professional atmosphere that Uber offers. Lyft accepts all types of vehicles, from those that are in perfect condition to those that you’d be afraid to ride in.
