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Anecdotally I have found Lyft's tech to just be abysmal. Lyft line for example instructed the driver on a packed freeway we've spent what felt like a good 30 mi

by mevile 9y ago

Anecdotally I have found Lyft's tech to just be abysmal. Lyft line for example instructed the driver on a packed freeway we've spent what felt like a good 30 minutes slogging through just before the last exit over a bridge to go ahead and turn around and pick up another passenger just so we can go through all that traffic again. I've heard drivers mention similar problems to me too. I didn't want to use Uber, but I can't really put up with Lyft's problems. I don't know and don't claim to say that this explains Uber's success, but it explains why I use Uber despite its notoriety.

amorphid 9y ago
I use Lyft Line several times a month, and have found it to be nicer than Uber Pool. I guess YRMMV (your ridesharing mileage may vary).
nemothekid 9y ago
Anecdotal, I also use Lyft, a lot, to the point where I'm probably wasting a lot of money (Mint says I spent $400+ last month). My usage upticked over the last month as I started commuting to the south bay from the city (so I would line to Caltrain). Line just seems abysmal during peak hours, where I actually reinstalled Uber just to commute. Multiple times last month, when leaving Caltrain to go home, the Lyft would leave the awful gridlock that happens around 4th street, then a passenger would be added, and the driver would have to turn around to pick up that person at Caltrain and we would all have to sit through traffic again. One of those rides took 30 minutes for what is normally an 11 minute line ride. In the morning, Line tends to choose the strangest drivers (some that are 15 minutes away) which always leads to me guessing which train I'll be able to catch. When I first switch to Uber (for my commutes), the most surprising thing is they recognized my street is one-way and had the driver pick me up on the adjacent street. Lyft drivers are almost always routed all the way around the block. I will continue using Lyft when I can (their support team has been really good, and I tend to prefer Lyft drivers), but I was a bit surprised by the small differences in routing. It really challenges my thoughts on Uber/Lyft/XYZ being truly interchangeable.
- misun78 9y ago
  Prefer Lyft drivers? Almost every Lyft driver also drives for Uber.
  - fastball 9y ago
    Stats? From my experience in Austin, Lyft drivers have mostly been "I work from my car starting a business / I drive around in my car for other reasons and I do Lyft literally on the side (as in: I was already driving this way, or similar)" Driving for Uber may be a second/additional job for many people, but I have never had an Uber driver seem like it was a super casual thing they do for a few extra bucks.
    - misun78 9y ago
      Stats - I’m an Uber employee who can’t disclose much more than the general statement from above :) There is almost no reason for a Lyft driver to also not do Uber for maximum earnings potential. Uber on the other hand has enough volume that drivers can operate at a max efficiency without the hassle of managing and switching statuses across multiple apps.
      - fastball 9y ago
        You're right, but I guess I'm comparing all of the different places where I've used the two, including many where I've only used Uber. For instance in London and other European cities, Uber drivers seem to almost all drive for Uber nearly full-time.
  - nemothekid 9y ago
    IME, Lyft drivers tend to also drive for Uber but not the other way around.
- prepend 9y ago
  Its strange how Lyft matches drivers to riders. I think it’s based on fasted buzzer by the driver rather than proximity. Many times, I am paired with a driver 10 minutes away even though there are multiple cars less than 2.

by mevile 9y ago

amorphid 9y ago

I use Lyft Line several times a month, and have found it to be nicer than Uber Pool. I guess YRMMV (your ridesharing mileage may vary).

nemothekid 9y ago

Anecdotal, I also use Lyft, a lot, to the point where I'm probably wasting a lot of money (Mint says I spent $400+ last month). My usage upticked over the last month as I started commuting to the south bay from the city (so I would line to Caltrain). Line just seems abysmal during peak hours, where I actually reinstalled Uber just to commute. Multiple times last month, when leaving Caltrain to go home, the Lyft would leave the awful gridlock that happens around 4th street, then a passenger would be added, and the driver would have to turn around to pick up that person at Caltrain and we would all have to sit through traffic again. One of those rides took 30 minutes for what is normally an 11 minute line ride. In the morning, Line tends to choose the strangest drivers (some that are 15 minutes away) which always leads to me guessing which train I'll be able to catch. When I first switch to Uber (for my commutes), the most surprising thing is they recognized my street is one-way and had the driver pick me up on the adjacent street. Lyft drivers are almost always routed all the way around the block. I will continue using Lyft when I can (their support team has been really good, and I tend to prefer Lyft drivers), but I was a bit surprised by the small differences in routing. It really challenges my thoughts on Uber/Lyft/XYZ being truly interchangeable.

misun78 9y ago
Prefer Lyft drivers? Almost every Lyft driver also drives for Uber.
- fastball 9y ago
  Stats? From my experience in Austin, Lyft drivers have mostly been "I work from my car starting a business / I drive around in my car for other reasons and I do Lyft literally on the side (as in: I was already driving this way, or similar)" Driving for Uber may be a second/additional job for many people, but I have never had an Uber driver seem like it was a super casual thing they do for a few extra bucks.
  - misun78 9y ago
    Stats - I’m an Uber employee who can’t disclose much more than the general statement from above :) There is almost no reason for a Lyft driver to also not do Uber for maximum earnings potential. Uber on the other hand has enough volume that drivers can operate at a max efficiency without the hassle of managing and switching statuses across multiple apps.
    - fastball 9y ago
      You're right, but I guess I'm comparing all of the different places where I've used the two, including many where I've only used Uber. For instance in London and other European cities, Uber drivers seem to almost all drive for Uber nearly full-time.
- nemothekid 9y ago
  IME, Lyft drivers tend to also drive for Uber but not the other way around.
prepend 9y ago
Its strange how Lyft matches drivers to riders. I think it’s based on fasted buzzer by the driver rather than proximity. Many times, I am paired with a driver 10 minutes away even though there are multiple cars less than 2.