You definitely could, however Uber and Lyft have tracking in the app and if something happens, you can swipe a "call 911" button and it immediately calls 911 and will display your location so you can notify police. This is helpful if you are in an unfamiliar location. You have to remember to keep the app open (for speed, it still tracks even if the app is closed - all vehicles are GPS'ed).
You can request a ride in advance, it could potentially be more than if you do it about 15 minutes before you need the ride. Uber and Lyft are usually less expensive than a taxi - an a lot cleaner! When you open the app and enter where you need to go, you will see the cost and different vehicle options. You can choose what works best. I prefer that to a taxi, you know what you are paying up front. You don't need to worry about the taxi taking you on a "scenic" route to add to the fare. Compare both Uber and Lyft before you book, there is often a difference. Sometimes one can get to your location faster than the other, so it may be worth a higher price. And if you have not used either company before, don't actually create an account until about a week in advance. They will often send new customers discounts or coupons for your first few rides. The discounts do expire, so don't sign up too far out!
Good info!! Do you generally tip or is that included in the price?
I do tip, in cash. You also have the option to include it via the app at the end of the ride. I think you can add it up to 24 hours after. Originally, when rideshares first started, one of the appeals of it was that a tip was not necessary. It really still isn't, but pretty much everyone does it. Plus, your driver can rate you (you can also rate the driver), and you will probably have a higher score if you tip. If you have a higher score, you are more likely to have a driver pick up your request when you need a ride. Not that I like that concept, too ESGish to me, but it is what it is.
But that wasn't what I was responding to. The post was expressing a concern about not knowing who the driver is (although I'm pretty sure there have been reports of getting in "ride shares" with the incorrect driver). You can also call 911 from in a taxi.
Personally I would wait until ready (or nearly ready) to get in the vehicle. This includes being at the pickup point.
Uber and Lyft do full background checks on their drivers. And yes, you can call 911 from a taxi, but if in a new city/town, you may not know where you are and the time it takes to look it up, it could be too late. You can get into a wrong car, it’s on the user to make sure they match both the vehicle and driver to the name, photo of the driver, and car information provided by the rideshare company before getting in the car. I’d use a rideshare over a taxi anyway, even if the cost is higher. At least the vehicles are practically spotless.
Absolutely not. Back 4+ years ago
but since around 2019 forward I have been in a number of icky rideshares. It got so bad it pushed my to booking Lux stuff when I can.
Sorry that's been your experience. Mine has been the complete opposite. I wouldn't get in the vehicle if it were filthy.Absolutely not. Back 4+ years ago
Usually you don’t see the food on the ground until you’re in. And you don’t see the gunk on the inside of the windows or handles until you’re in. (Different cars, all of that.)
In Florida they do not. Uber and Lyft never inspect the vehicles here and vehicles here do not go through yearly inspections regardless.
Did you not see the state? I said MA (Massachusetts), not FL. All vehicles registered in MA have to be inspected every year. We have a bright colored sticker on the windshield indicating the month it expires and the color changes each year.
I know, I lived in Orlando for 15 years and I'm there many times each year to visit family and friends. In my post, I was referring to MA, where I live now and use rideshares. I've been in many a taxi that I didn't think would get me to my destination in FL. Both due to the condition of the vehicle and the driving of the driver!
Sorry, on the phone it looks like MIA as in Miami.
No worries! I do agree, as much as I think car inspections in MA are a pain, when I moved to FL, I did wish they inspected vehicles! Back in MA now and I need to get my car inspected this month.
Nope. Only commercial vehicles have to pass periodic inspections.
I was so surprised to find out any state required such a thing. I’m from CA, all you have to do here is pass an emissions test every couple years. Some quick googling says only 14 states require annual safety inspections and 5 more states require biannual safety inspections, so less than half the states actually inspect people’s cars on a regular basis for safety.
