>Use a service that doesn't micromanage its customers
Lyft is still doing the same sort of micromanagement (you just have to jump through more hoops to see your rider rating, just like it used to be for Uber), and arguably has even more holes for drivers to abuse the rating system against riders (AFAIK, Lyft drivers can manage to correlate tips against specific rides, and have a 24 post-ride window to go back and change ratings for riders).
>taxis, city transportation services. Or just (shocker) get your own vehicle. If you're travelling, rental cars are also an option.
These aren't necessarily realistic alternatives in all cases.
In many second or third tier metro areas in the US, Lyft and Uber have completely destroyed the local taxi industry, to the point where taxis simply aren't a resource that can be utilized without booking far in advance, and even then their success rate for pickups is questionable.
As for public transport - not a realistic option for general use outside the largest metro areas in the US, and even many of the largest (e.g. Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas) have systems that are nearly useless for those traveling outside of very small portions of the metro area, or aren't commuting into central business districts from suburban transit centers.
'Getting your own vehicle' isn't necessarily economically viable in all cases, or even a usable option for those that face challenges related to driving ability.
And rental cars? Aside from making zero sense for certain urban destinations, employers increasingly require business travelers to utilize rideshare services while traveling for work.
> In many second or third tier metro areas in the US, Lyft and Uber have completely destroyed the local taxi industry, to the point where taxis simply aren't a resource that can be utilized without booking far in advance, and even then their success rate for pickups is questionable.
Anecdotally, In Midtown Atlanta, in 2008; It took a call and 30 minutes to get a taxi to come pick up < a mile away from major hotels. And on the ride back on a 3 mile trip, magically the taxi's credit card machine was broken.
I've personally encountered the same kind of thing in Chicago and Houston outside of the major business districts.
I've recently been living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I don't think I can recall even seeing a taxi in the area anywhere other than the taxi stand at the Detroit airport over the past 6 months.
If you're travelling, rental cars are also an option.
If you are 21 or older. There are a lot of people in the 18-21 range. And, in the 21-4 range there are often fees associated with that age, which can be significant.[1]
Personally, I don't possess a drivers license - while the DMV would happily grant one my lack of peripheral vision in the left and poor depth perception make me extremely uncomfortable on the road. I rely on public transportation and services like Uber/Lyft/local cabs to get around when I travel as a result.
I'm not particularly fond of traditional taxi services due to a lack of fare transparency and ease of use I expect from "ridesharing" (can we replace this term someday) services, so my rider rating is fairly important to me.
i too don't have one. not because i have any physical problems, it's just that i don't have use for one. i don't have a car and i don't plan on having one -- so why bother?
also, by not having a car (and using public transportation/uber/cabs) i like to think i'm helping the my city a tiny bit by not having yet another car on the street when it's not needed.
Yes, I'm in a medium-sized city in the US. Uber and Lyft operate here, but they don't seem to be as popular as taxi companies (at least, I see far fewer of them than taxis).
I know that two of the largest taxi companies in town have just increased the number of drivers they have.
Lyft is still doing the same sort of micromanagement (you just have to jump through more hoops to see your rider rating, just like it used to be for Uber), and arguably has even more holes for drivers to abuse the rating system against riders (AFAIK, Lyft drivers can manage to correlate tips against specific rides, and have a 24 post-ride window to go back and change ratings for riders).
>taxis, city transportation services. Or just (shocker) get your own vehicle. If you're travelling, rental cars are also an option.
These aren't necessarily realistic alternatives in all cases.
In many second or third tier metro areas in the US, Lyft and Uber have completely destroyed the local taxi industry, to the point where taxis simply aren't a resource that can be utilized without booking far in advance, and even then their success rate for pickups is questionable.
As for public transport - not a realistic option for general use outside the largest metro areas in the US, and even many of the largest (e.g. Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas) have systems that are nearly useless for those traveling outside of very small portions of the metro area, or aren't commuting into central business districts from suburban transit centers.
'Getting your own vehicle' isn't necessarily economically viable in all cases, or even a usable option for those that face challenges related to driving ability.
And rental cars? Aside from making zero sense for certain urban destinations, employers increasingly require business travelers to utilize rideshare services while traveling for work.