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How is Lyft different from any taxi service?

by a_imho 8y ago

beerlord 8y ago
Because its much better, and so attracts more people to the service. Uber has a great potential to be used as public transport, with dynamic route pathing based on supply and demand. Something traditional public transport could never do.
- CaptainZapp 8y ago
  Uber has a great potential to be used as public transport, with dynamic route pathing based on supply and demand Yeah, Silicon Valley companies taking over our public transport infrastructure. What could ever go wrong with that?
- cozzyd 8y ago
  Traditional public transport certainly could do that (and demand-response routes are a thing in rural places), but fixed-route consistent routes make more sense in urban areas from geometric considerations (and you know, not requiring a charged smart phone to get from point A to B).
- anth_anm 8y ago
  Uber is a disaster as public transit. It's functionally little different than just having everyone drive themselves. Not needing parking is a big benefit, but it's still a bad idea.
  - beerlord 8y ago
    It is functionally very different because: -You dont have to drive around and find a park (less congestion and real estate) -You can pool your trip with another user (Uber Pool)
dexen 8y ago
There are certain key differences, but basically the supply of drivers / vehicles, and the pricepoints are regulated by the company rather than by municipal legislative. Which has upsides and downsides wrt quality, availability, wait time, and pricing, including potential to apply "surge pricing". For example, municipal yellow cab taxis are known for both being legally obliged to pick up passengers in all relevant areas, and at the same time unwilling to do so in certain areas, due to unprofitability, or perceived risks.
joecool1029 8y ago
Functionally for passenger? It isn't much different since taxi hailing apps now exist. For driver, very different. Taxi vehicles are typically exclusive business use, often times used by different drivers in shifts. Different municipalities may set fare rates or minimums for service. May set caps on number of cars. Or might not, maybe they just require commercial insurance and an application to be filled out. It's different everywhere. Some cities lyft/uber drivers are even employees of a subsidiary since not recognized as contractors. Generally lyft/uber went into markets going 'nananana, we are not a taxi because this is a cellphone! Look at the app! Rideshare!' So regulators ended up having to make a new legal class of service. The companies could just throw straps at the problem until enough users jumped on and 'transit proposals' could be made to towns.
bluntfang 8y ago
it differs by local municipality, but generally taxis can be hailed on the street and livery/ride services can't.

How is Lyft different from any taxi service?

by a_imho 8y ago

How is Lyft different from any taxi service?

Because its much better, and so attracts more people to the service. Uber has a great potential to be used as public transport, with dynamic route pathing based on supply and demand. Something traditional public transport could never do.

CaptainZapp 8y ago
Uber has a great potential to be used as public transport, with dynamic route pathing based on supply and demand Yeah, Silicon Valley companies taking over our public transport infrastructure. What could ever go wrong with that?
cozzyd 8y ago
Traditional public transport certainly could do that (and demand-response routes are a thing in rural places), but fixed-route consistent routes make more sense in urban areas from geometric considerations (and you know, not requiring a charged smart phone to get from point A to B).
anth_anm 8y ago
Uber is a disaster as public transit. It's functionally little different than just having everyone drive themselves. Not needing parking is a big benefit, but it's still a bad idea.
- beerlord 8y ago
  It is functionally very different because: -You dont have to drive around and find a park (less congestion and real estate) -You can pool your trip with another user (Uber Pool)

dexen 8y ago

There are certain key differences, but basically the supply of drivers / vehicles, and the pricepoints are regulated by the company rather than by municipal legislative. Which has upsides and downsides wrt quality, availability, wait time, and pricing, including potential to apply "surge pricing". For example, municipal yellow cab taxis are known for both being legally obliged to pick up passengers in all relevant areas, and at the same time unwilling to do so in certain areas, due to unprofitability, or perceived risks.

joecool1029 8y ago

Functionally for passenger? It isn't much different since taxi hailing apps now exist. For driver, very different. Taxi vehicles are typically exclusive business use, often times used by different drivers in shifts. Different municipalities may set fare rates or minimums for service. May set caps on number of cars. Or might not, maybe they just require commercial insurance and an application to be filled out. It's different everywhere. Some cities lyft/uber drivers are even employees of a subsidiary since not recognized as contractors. Generally lyft/uber went into markets going 'nananana, we are not a taxi because this is a cellphone! Look at the app! Rideshare!' So regulators ended up having to make a new legal class of service. The companies could just throw straps at the problem until enough users jumped on and 'transit proposals' could be made to towns.

bluntfang 8y ago

it differs by local municipality, but generally taxis can be hailed on the street and livery/ride services can't.