Uber & Lyft - both are now in Pittsburgh! (Oakland: 2014, insurance)

[friendsheep]

I received an email a few hours ago that Uber is now active and running in Pittsburgh. This is in addition to Lyft which started services about a week ago.

I received free ride offers from both for having signed up to their email lists for Pittsburgh. 14 days for 50 rides of up to $25 FREE through Lyft, and 5 Rides of up to $25 free through Uber. I used Lyft last weekend and was impressed with the service. Has anyone else downloaded the apps and started using either yet in the city? I wonder what response times are like in the Southside, Oakland, and Shadyside on Friday & Saturday nights.

[sskink]

I'm struggling with the concept that people who can afford the nicer cars that you need to have in order to participate as paid drivers with these services are that needy for the money.

There must be a market for people who don't mind getting picked up in junkers that would help the long term unemployed. Where's that service? :-)

[friendsheep]

The Lyft driver I had was from the south hills and wanted to try it out for extra money. They signed up and drove into the city last weekend when the service opened on Friday evening. I got a ride at 1am and the driver said he had been getting passengers non stop. He also had a 2011 or newer Kia Optima. The other Lyft (pink mustache) cars I've seen have been newer and in good shape as well.

[ditchdigger]

I tend to agree with this guy:

Pittsburgh Lyft: Yellow Cabs, White Jitneys, Gray Areas

They're jitneys, just higher tech.

Also, you'll see a familiar name as a commenter...

[UKyank]

So if you volunteer as a driver for either of these and then get into an accident, who does the passenger sue?

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by UKyank

So if you volunteer as a driver for either of these and then get into an accident, who does the passenger sue?

That's the real problem with riding in unlicensed public carriers. I guess if you aren't injured that terribly bad, your own auto insurance under no-fault would pick up the bill if its within the limits. Past that, will the insurance company of the Lyft driver pay a claim? I don't know, you might want to contact your own insurance company on that.

[UKyank]

Originally Posted by I_Like_Spam

That's the real problem with riding in unlicensed public carriers. I guess if you aren't injured that terribly bad, your own auto insurance under no-fault would pick up the bill if its within the limits. Past that, will the insurance company of the Lyft driver pay a claim? I don't know, you might want to contact your own insurance company on that.

I'm pretty sure i can guess how that conversation would go though when you tell your insurance company that you are driving strangers around for money with your vehicle.

[AaronPGH]

This is ****ing amazing! Honestly, one of the best things to happen to this city. Holy cow! I guess Lyft scared the crap out of them and they pounced!

[AaronPGH]

Oh and boooohooooo hoooooooooo. My monopoly is coming to an end.... MAYOR HELP ME!!!!

Taxi services urge Peduto to crack down on ride-sharing service Lyft - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[friendsheep]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

This is ****ing amazing! Honestly, one of the best things to happen to this city. Holy cow! I guess Lyft scared the crap out of them and they pounced!

The traditional cab companies certainly aren't happy. And the Uber service here is Uber X, meaning drivers use their own cars like Lyft. I think they will be putting up a bigger fight against Uber in the coming days.

Opening the app from my living room in Friendship shows that I can get a pickup from Uber in 3 minutes and Lyft in 4 minutes.