When Lyft first launched they only offered one simple service, a ride. Users would open the app and tap a big green “Request Lyft” button and, voila, a Lyft car arrived. Now, if you’re currently living in San Francisco or Los Angeles, you might have noticed an additional service called Lyft Line; a new service developed by Lyft to help support their growing user base and demand for alternative ride options.
What’s the difference between Lyft and Lyft Line?
Traditional Lyft
When a rider requests a traditional Lyft car, a driver will be notified via the app and a four door car will arrive at their location within a few minutes. This ride is reserved exclusively for the rider who requested the car and any passengers who might be in their party. The rider will then simply enter their final destination in the app’s GPS or will give their driver proper directions. Once the car has arrived at the destination, the app will charge the rider for the duration of the trip from pickup to drop off.
Lyft Line
Lyft Line is different from the traditional Lyft option as it functions more like a carpool. Riders who request rides through Lyft Line will be riding with other riders, allowing the cost of the ride to be split among all parties. With Lyft Line, riders are required to input their final destination prior to their trips. The app will then pair that rider with a Lyft Line driver who is already traveling along their chosen route. The catch is that there may be other riders in the car when a rider gets picked up, or the driver may stop and pick up additional riders as the trip progresses.
The benefit of Lyft Line is that Lyft claims the prices are up to 60% cheaper than the regular Lyft fares. The idea is simple, riders are splitting the bill with several people, so everyone only has to pay a portion of the overall cost instead of the whole bill.
Have you tried Lyft Line yet? Did your Lyft Line car make many stops along your route to pick others up? Let us know your experiences and opinions below!
David Pemberton is a Bay Area writer, currently serving as the Communications Manager for Breeze. Breeze offers a flexible lease option on fuel-efficient Prius cars, specifically for drivers interested in driving for rideshare or on-demand services. Learn more at www.joinbreeze.com.
