Ride Sharing Pros
Background Checks and Insurance
Before a driver can start working for a company like Uber or Rideshare, they have to pass a background check. The background checks are extensive and rigorous. They screen driving history as well as the sexual offender registry to make sure that all their passengers are safe.
Vehicle Safety and Insurance
All vehicles are required to be a certain model year or higher. It depends on
the policy of the company. Uber doesn't allow vehicles to be older than 2006. While Lyft allows drivers to use a 2000 model or newer. The driver is required to have a certain level of insurance on their vehicle, but the company will have another commercial liability coverage on top of the driver's insurance. Lyft requires all vehicles to have four external door handles and at least five working seatbelts inside the vehicle. Uber doesn't allow their drivers to use full-size vans or marked vehicles.
Payment Synched with Phone
When a customer wants to hire a car to take them to a destination, the customer uses the company's app to request a driver. All payments including tips are synched with the customer's smartphone. This can be extremely convenient for anyone who has lost their wallet, run out of money while traveling or doesn't like to carry cash. Every transaction is done with the smartphone app.
Driver Ratings
After requesting a ride, the customer is given a picture of the driver as well as the license plate of the vehicle, the driver's customer reviews and driving history. Many customers have compared the service against riding in a taxi and found that they trust the ride sharing service more since it provides more information for the customer. After receiving a driver's information, the customer should make sure that the picture and vehicle description match. As a customer, you can also track the location of the car while you're driving in it. This can be convenient if you're using it to transport older childre to school or afterschool activities.
Cons of Using a Ride Sharing Service
Surge Pricing
While overall, the cost of a ride share might be cheaper than a taxi, some companies have been accused of surge pricing. Surge pricing happens when the company increases prices based on peak travel times, or the supply and demand of the cars available versus how many customers want a ride.
Ease of Use as a Con
With the ability to call a car at the touch of a button, customers might find themselves ordering a car when they don't really need one. If you get into the habit of calling a car instead of walking, you might find that the fees and costs are more than you expected each month. It's cheaper and quicker than a taxi, which means you can simply call a car when you're feeling a bit lazy instead of when you really need one.
Ride sharing companies like Uber, Rideshare and Lyft allow customers the ability to use their smartphones to call a ride from any location. The drivers are screened and the vehicles are insured, which makes many customers feel safe using the service.