Technology is causing traditional city cab services to halt and reevaluate their infrastructure due to the rising new apps Lyft and Uber.
Lyft and Uber cars are being ticketed and towed in order to try and minimize the negative effects on city cab drivers (Mashable). For example, Uber is currently banned in Portland, Oregon because of the opinions of taxi companies and established regulatory rules and is considered to be “violating local laws” if operated in Texas. However, cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles have widely accepted the idea of Lyft and Uber. Although the companies are thriving in Los Angeles, a major problem is the amount of citations distributed to Lyft and Uber drivers at the LAX airport. According to NBC Los Angeles channel 4 news, the police believe the ride share services are violating state regulations, which include their ability to pick passengers up from the airport. Lastly, in Seattle, the local city council passed an ordinance that would limit the amount of Uber, Lyft and other rideshare services on the road. Uber and Lyft are trying to get this ordinance overturned with their plans to introduce insurance coverage for the drivers of the cars.
Even with disputes about Lyft in the U.S., they have secured money to make an international launch (Mashable). The company however, will have to compete with the already well-established app, Uber. This international launch will bring about the promotion of filling every seat in a car and maximizing the concept of carpooling. A pink mustache is one way in which Lyft cars can be identified, and it doesn’t just physically represent Lyft, but also characterizes them as one of the best ways for people to travel. This company is an advocate of making a big city seem smaller and bringing people together through transportation. Lyft community drivers are background-checked and interviewed in order to provide the most enjoyable travel experience possible. Lyft is now available in more than 20 cities across the country.
After hearing about the controversies of these apps, do you believe they should be seen as a positive asset to the ride share service? Do they have what it takes to be better than a regular taxi company? We think apps like Lyft and Uber can be a great service to use for your travels and are setting trends for the future of city cab services. Check out the apps on Google Play or iTunes!
