After Uber, There Is Now Lyft, More Ride-Sharing Services For All

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Have you seen the online ad being circulated about a new company, Lyft, hiring drivers in Orlando area? Lyft is a car service company being launched today, Thursday, July 31, 2014, in Orlando, FL. It is very similar to another ride service company, Uber, that was founded in 2009. Both Lyft and Uber refer to themselves as “ride-sharing” businesses and are based in San Francisco. They  both use a mobile phone app to connect fares with cars, and the cars and drivers are identified on the app before they arrive. They differed from taxi companies in the fact that their drivers are average citizens who offer their personal vehicles for hire. Lyft differs from Uber in some respects: most Lyft drivers identify their vehicles with a bright pink mustache on the grill while Uber cars are totally unmarked. Lyft advertises that its rides are, on average, 20 to 30 percent cheaper than most traditional taxi companies. Both Lyft and Uber have sparked controversy by not seeking permits under the city’s vehicle-for-hire ordinances, avoiding the regulations that taxi and limo companies must comply with. Although the city began ticketing Uber drivers after it had been operating in Orlando for a few weeks, the spokeswoman for Lyft, Katie Dally, is optimistic, “We have been in touch with Orlando city leaders, and have had several positive discussions. We will continue to work together on a permanent solution that ensures ridesharing can thrive in Orlando.” Lyft is already in operation in Tampa, FL. To give you a taste of what it is like to be a Lyft ride-sharer, I’d like to share a video about Lyft reported by John Stossel, below:

I also found out that the certification process in becoming a Lyft driver is based on a check list of 12 items (inclusive of safety inspections and background check), requirement of  going through a mentor drive, and expectation of cleanliness of the interior of the vehicle. There is also a mutual rating system for/by both drivers and riders. This is helpful in providing incentive for every one to be on best behavior while providing information for other dirvers and riders in the future.

Quite a few of my friends living in Windermere/Central Florida area have been concerned about the cost of maintaining/insuring/driving  their cars, especially in light of increasing gasoline prices. As more retired seniors/baby boomers move down to state of Florida, ridesharing services will be needed even more. Not only does this type of service provide conveniences for many, it also helps to create job opportunities and entrepreneurship without needing to overcome tremendous barrier to entry. This is a great idea in combating potential economic hardship in any community while providing more options for all residents. Let’s hope for the survival of these ride-sharing businesses.

~Let’s Help One Another~

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Gathered, written, photographed, and posted by Windermere Sun-Susan Sun Nunamaker

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