Uber and Lyft: A “How To” for Seniors

by Bob Poliquin

Are you looking for an option to leaving your car at the airport for a week or to asking a neighbor for a ride to a doctor’s appointment? Uber (Oo´-burr) and Lyft are the two major companies that give you flexibility in your travel arrangements and personal independence even if you don’t own a car, if just don’t want to drive, or, for medical reasons, you can’t drive for a bit.

Since comparing Uber to Lyft is like comparing a really good apple to another really good apple, for convenience, let’s just look at Uber.

Q: What is the concept behind Uber?

A: An Uber driver operates their personally owned vehicle (POV) as a taxi. In essence, the driver, either part-time or full-time, gives passengers rides in the driver’s car for a predetermined fee, which is usually much less than a taxi or a private driving service.

Q. How do I contact Uber for a ride?

A. You contact Uber by using an app you download on your smartphone.

Q. So, I need a smartphone?

A. You don’t absolutely need a smartphone, but you will at least need a computer to access the Uber website. Unfortunately, many seniors have not switched from flip phones yet. Fortunately, many seniors have switched and continue to transition. As a side note, there are a number of very simple smartphones on the market for seniors who do not want or need an IPhone (Apple) or Android (usually Samsung). AARP offers special deals on Cricket smartphones, which are much less complicated (fewer standard features) than IPhone or Android systems. Jitterbug smart phones are also a great option for a simple smatphone.

Q. How do I pay the driver?

A. No money changes hands with Uber of Lyft. When you set up your account, you have a credit card on file, and the charge for the ride is predetermined before you agree to the ride. The driver never has access to your credit card information.

Q. Is the tip included in the price?

A. The tip is not included in the price; however, at the completion of the ride, after you have exited the vehicle, you will receive a notification giving you the opportunity to rate your driver and to provide a tip should you wish to.

Q. What if there are several of us who need a ride?

A. There are multiple levels of Uber service, from simple economy to handicap access to a luxury black car. If you just need a ride, the economy service will likely suffice. If you have more than two people in your party, have lots of luggage, need wheelchair access or even a child’s car seat, you can indicate that in your request.

Q. But is it safe to accept a ride from a stranger?

A. My guess is that you don’t know your taxi driver either. Uber also tracks every ride electronically to assure passenger safety and that the driver is using the most efficient route.

Q. How do I know who is picking me up? It’s not like I’m looking for a Yellow Cab.

A. Before you accept your ride, you will see the driver’s name, the model and color of the vehicle, the license plate number, and the time in minutes it will take your driver to reach you. Your driver will also identify himself or herself upon arrival.

Q. How does Uber manage the quality of their drivers?

A. In addition to Uber doing a reasonably thorough driving safety and criminal background check on every driver, customers are asked to rate drivers on a scale of 1-5 after each ride. You will see the driver’s rating before you accept the ride. By the way, drivers also rate passengers and give them the option to accept or reject you as a passenger. So, be pleasant; you are not riding in a corporate taxi. You are riding in the driver’s car, and you may ride up front if you like.

Q. Is Uber available to residents of Sun City Carolina Lakes?

A. At this given moment (10:00 am on a Tuesday) there are six Uber drivers available between Sun City and Ballantyne. So, yes. Uber is available to Sun City residents.

Okay, I get it. This is a new concept for many of us. And although it may still seem strange to seniors, it is already very common to urban and suburban youngsters of both professional and legal drinking age. It’s how they get around town to business meetings without a personal vehicle or rental car and how they get home safely after an evening out with friends. My guess is, in a few years, we will be writing about the driverless cars picking us up.

Welcome to the future.

For more information, please check out Uber.com and Lyft.com.