Uber?

[officerripley]

Does anyone here use Uber (or Lyft or taxis)? I think I'm nearing the end of my driving time and wonder how they work for anyone that uses them.

[Lilrain]

I never have but I couldn't resist this.

[PartTimeBrewer]

I can't run the app on my phone, but I really have little use for it except when my daughter in California can't pick us up at the airport. She arranges it all for us when that happens, but of course, we haven't been able to fly for a year now. 

[MTwoman]

Not available here (to my knowledge), but maybe in the "big cities" like Missoula, Bozeman, and Billings. My daughter and grandson have used Uber in Sacramento...convenient when needed. 

[OneEyedDiva]

Ever since COVID started, I've not taken public transportation except to get to my timeshare in Atlantic City. I take an Uber or Lyft to and from the resort. I've been taking Ubers and Lyfts to and from my doctor appointments as well if my son isn't available to take me. I love the personal service. No more standing out in the (whatever weather) wondering if the bus will come on time or if there's a detour I don't know about (that has happened).

One of my nieces works at a supermarket a couple of towns over. She found out it doesn't cost much more to take an Uber than having to take two buses each day. It also saves her from having to walk home at night by herself.

~The apps are downloaded to your phone. These services can only be accessed from one device and I recommend that to be your cell phone.

~Using location they can usually tell where you're ordering the ride from and ask you to enter the address of where you are going. You can set frequently used addresses for easier use. Also if you've used an address more than once, when you start typing it in, it usually pops up. 

~You can then choose the ride you want...alone, share a ride (may take a few minutes longer to get to your destination) fancier car (more $$) and the cost for the ride you want is shown. Click on your choice, the the app asks you to confirm the ride. Even though it's a bit cheaper, I never choose to share my ride.

~The app then tells you it's looking for a driver. When one is found they tell you how many minutes until the driver arrives and a map shows the car's route and keeps updating the ETA.

~They show you a picture of the car, license plate number, photo and first name of who will be picking you up. Also shown is the number of stars the driver has gotten in reviews.

~I notice that when I open the car door, the drivers usually say my name because I guess they want to make sure they are picking up who ordered the ride. Masks are now mandated. No mask, no ride.

~No money changes hands unless you want to tip and prefer to do that with cash. Prior to ordering your ride, you must add a credit (or debit card I think) to your account.

~As long as you check the license plate number before getting in the vehicle, there shouldn't be any safety issues. But if you feel something isn't right, Uber has a safety feature (Rider Toolkit) that allows you to report it while in transit. Lyft has 911 button easily accessible within the app. I'm I've never had to use those features. Many of my drivers have been women, which I admit makes me more comfortable and most every driver I've had was very nice.

~Finally, if need be, someone else can order your ride for you. My husband and I used to have to do it for my step-son and I've done it for my grandson.

[officerripley]

Thanks, Diva, very good info. Now I'm trying to figure out how to find if they have Uber at all in this area. I know we have Lyft for sure in this area, the Lyft website is very user friendly. But I can't figure out how with Uber to find out if there even are any uber drivers in this area; when I try putting in my town to "find your city" on Uber, it keeps bouncing me back to the nearest city of any size which is 2 hours away; it's beginning to look like I'll just have to request a ride on the Uber app on my phone & see what happens. (I'll have to sneak around to do that though: Huzz found out I was looking into this since I'm getting more & more nervous about my driving--he walked up behind me when I was on the Lyft site--got all upset, "Stop being nervous about your driving, I'm sure you're fine", "Oh, well, if it bothers you that much, I'll start driving you everywhere you need to go"--I told him "You're older than me and I wonder about your driving sometimes." But he says he's not having it; so maybe if I sneak a ride in and it goes okay, he'll reconsider? Hahahaha, yeah right!)

[Holly Schmucki]

Is lyft a type of taxi service? Never heard of it

[officerripley]

Yes, Lyft is like Uber. The few times I've taken a regular, old-fashioned taxi it was fine. But one thing I like about Uber or Lyft is that you get an account set up with them (and preferably the app of your phone) and they charge your credit card if you want; last I heard, none of the regular taxis around here will take a credit card, cash only. And when I get to where I really can no longer drive, be harder to get to the bank to get cash to keep on hand for a taxi.

[OneEyedDiva]

You're welcome Officer. I'd rather take Uber and Lyft now than a taxi. Guess I watched too much Criminal Minds.  With Uber and Lyft you know who you are riding with and there's a record of it. For awhile U & L prices were also cheaper than regular taxis...that may still be the case.  

I get a 5% discount on Lyft for using a certain credit card but sometimes Lyft costs more than Uber and sometimes the opposite is true. Uber seems to have more drivers readily available in my area as well so it may take Lyft a little longer to find a driver. I always check both apps to see their pricing before I decide which one to use.

[OneEyedDiva]

See my reply to Officer below.

[Grandma Helen]

If you are in a populated area they work great.  I've used taxi and town bus.  My second son don't drive and he uses uber in MD and in FL..Where I live now there's a county bus that will pick you up and drop you and if you aren't going to be too long wait for you.  Nothing here is quick.  Walmart is if you can move quick.

[Grandma Helen]

OED, I'm being nosey and I know it, but would you share with us what uber charges to go from North NJ to Atlantic city.  I'm guessing an airline ticket would be cheaper.  

[OneEyedDiva]

It would depend on the day and time. I saw one Uber quote for $225 (one way) but that was from my city to Atlantic City. Lyft would have charged $165. Prices are determined by time of day, how busy they are, weather conditions, etc. Sorry my first reply was not clear. I'd take Uber or Lyft to the casino bus that leaves from one town over to go to Atlantic City. I take that same bus back and would take an U or L home. BUT I haven't had to do that because so far my son has taken me to the bus and picked me up.

It would make no sense for me to fly to Atlantic City. The hassle of getting to the airport then getting from the AC airport to the hotel would not worth it to me. I'd still have to take an U or L from the airport. Plus I'm on a personal boycott of airlines. I haven't flown in about 2 decades and don't intend to anytime soon. Just for the hell of it, I decided to check prices. Spirit airlines cheap flight to leave on Saturday March 6th is $143.42 RT. but has one stop and would take 5 hrs to get there. This doesn't count the 1-1/2 hours spent in the airport. Believe me picking somebody up at Newark airport is a real pain in the a*s. Another airline is charging $2,008.73 for RT. but would get me there in 43 minutes. LOL

Unfortunately there's no direct train to A.C. either. I'd have to make 4 transfers. So if I ever do need an alternate mode of transportation to and/or from A.C (other than the casino bus)....I will likely use U or L. Our former resort shuttle driver drives for both now. He'd probably give me a much better rate if I used him. Either way, I consider that my suite rates are so cheap, it evens out.