Five Reasons Why Uber is Better than Lyft

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Founded in March of 2009, Uber is a ridesharing application service based in San Francisco, California. The company uses its own smartphone application to connect passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire throughout major cities across the globe. Customers use the app to request rides and can track their reserved vehicle’s location on their phone. As of earlier this month, Uber is available in 45 countries and more than 200 cities worldwide. Uber was met with some competition in 2012 when Lyft, a privately held ridesharing company, was launched. Lyft facilitates pee-to-peer ridesharing through its mobile application and allows users to request a ride from available “community drivers” for up to 30 percent less than a regular cab ride. Below is a list of five reasons why Uber is better than Lyft.

5. Available in More Cities

As of this month, Uber is available in nearly 200 cities in 45 countries, while Lyft is only available in 60 U.S. cities and absolutely has no international markets. This means Uber is available in just about every major city you might happen to travel to, while Lyft is not. Uber’s smartphone application can be used globally as well, wherever you are at anytime day or night.

4. Quick and Easy Payment

Not only has Uber lowered its base prices in recent months, but the ridesharing service is simple and easy to use. Rather than being inclined to give “donations,” as Lyft calls its payment method, Uber handles all monetary transactions through its mobile application. Simply enter your credit card information upon signing-up, and you’ll be messaged the bill at the end of each ride.

3. Uber’s Newest Ventures

In a recent CNN interview, Uber CEO and founder Travis Kalanick elaborated on a number of future ventures his ridesharing company is looking to expand upon. Los Angeles’ Uber Fresh will allow users to order food and have it delivered to their location within minutes, New York’s Uber Corner Store will deliver groceries and cosmetics, and Washington D.C.’s Uber Rush plans to act as a messenger service.

2. Arrive in Style

The choice is an easy one. Would you rather arrive at your destination in a sleek black town car, or a stranger’s mini van with a pink mustache attached to the front (Lyft drivers are distinguished by an eye-catching pink, fuzzy mustache placed on the front of their vehicles)? All Uber cars offer a clean, comfortable, and sleek experience in their line of black town cars, stretch limos and environmentally friendly Toyota Priuses.

1. Safety First

Although Lyft does ensure safety through a zero tolerance screening procedure, riding in the front seat with a complete stranger can be pretty daunting for people who just want to simply get from one place to another comfortably and quietly. Uber offers four different levels of driver–amateur, limo, SUV, and taxi–and promotes a safe, pleasant, and highly professional service from trained professional drivers.

Photo by Adam Berry/Getty Images

Written by Derrick Krom

Derrick is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia where he received a B.A. in English and Communication Studies. Throughout his life, Derrick has traveled the country and even got to study abroad in London, England for four amazing months. He's a guitar player, avid music fan and lover of literature, film, and all things entertainment.