Is the ‘Convenience’ of Ride Sharing Overrated?

Introduction

I’ve been a ride sharing user for years. I’ve used Uber and Lyft to get around in cities all over the world, including Boston, San Francisco, New York City and London. Despite some recent controversies surrounding these services from both drivers and customers alike, I still think that ride sharing is one of the most convenient ways to get around town. But convenience comes with tradeoffs—and there are some situations where taking an Uber or Lyft might not be as convenient as you think!

Ride sharing is a convenient alternative to driving yourself.

Ride sharing is a convenient alternative to driving yourself. You can save money on gas, parking, and car maintenance by not having to drive yourself. Ride sharing also saves you time by not having to waste your own driving around town looking for parking spaces or driving from one location to another when you could have just taken a taxi or ride-sharing service instead. Finally, ride sharing saves space in our cities by reducing the need for more garages and parking spots that would be needed if everyone drove their own vehicles everywhere they went.

Ride sharing may provide more flexibility than public transportation.

Ride sharing may provide more flexibility than public transportation.

• Ride sharing can be faster than public transportation. While the speed of your ride depends on the route and traffic, ride sharing services are generally faster than public transit.
• Ride sharing is more convenient than public transportation in many cases because there’s no need to wait for a bus or train schedule and no need to navigate unfamiliar systems such as buying tickets or getting transfers. This means that you can get where you want to go without having any time wasted waiting around at stops or stations–just jump into the car and go!
• Ride sharing is safer than driving because there are fewer accidents caused by human error when using services like Uber or Lyft (which use professional drivers), according to studies by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety evaluated crash rates before and after introduction of TNCs (transportation network companies) into various markets across America over five years’ worth of data from 2015-2018.”

Ride sharing can be faster than public transportation.

The truth is, ride sharing can be faster than public transportation.

If you live in a city with good public transit and a car-sharing service (like Zipcar), then you probably don’t need to worry about this point. But if you live in an area where one or both of those things are lacking, then ride sharing may be your best bet for getting around quickly.

For example: If I want to get from my apartment near Union Square in San Francisco down to Fisherman’s Wharf on the Embarcadero–a distance of less than two miles–and I’m not worried about having any extra space in my car when I get there (because I’m planning on leaving again right away), then taking Lyft Line would cost me $4 and take 15 minutes compared with $10-$12 in cash tolls plus 30 minutes driving myself or taking an express bus ($2-$3).

Ride sharing allows you to travel in style.

Ride sharing allows you to travel in style.

You can choose from a variety of cars, including luxury vehicles or economy cars. You can also get a driver who is friendly and helpful, or one who knows the city well.

You don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot when you take an Uber or Lyft.

If you’re like me, the mere thought of driving in a city can be enough to make you feel like a caged animal. I hate parking. I hate looking for parking. And I especially hate paying for it–which is why I’m always looking for ways to avoid doing so when traveling.

But what if there was an option that allowed me to skip the hassle altogether? Enter ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft! These companies are changing our day-to-day lives by offering us the opportunity to get around town without worrying about finding or paying for parking–and they’re helping people save money on their transportation costs in the process (thanks in part because drivers earn tips).

While ride sharing may sound convenient at first glance, there are still some drawbacks worth considering before signing up; namely:

With ride sharing, you don’t have to wait in long lines or stand in the rain at a bus stop.

• You don’t have to wait in line for a taxi.
• You don’t have to stand at the bus stop in the rain.

Ride sharing reduces your carbon footprint and supports sustainable communities.

Did you know that ride sharing reduces your carbon footprint and supports sustainable communities?

By taking a ride share, you’re reducing the number of cars on the road. This can help to reduce emissions and improve air quality, which is especially important in cities where pollution is an issue. The more people who use ridesharing instead of driving their own vehicles, the better off society will be!

You can use ride-sharing apps to help you find your way around new cities and neighborhoods, whether you’re alone or with friends!

Ride-sharing apps can also help you find your way around new cities and neighborhoods, whether you’re alone or with friends!

When you’re in a new place, ride-sharing apps can be super helpful. You can use them to see what’s nearby, see if there are any discounts available and get directions.

Ride-sharing is definitely convenient but this convenience comes with some downsides too!

The convenience of ride-sharing is definitely a plus, but it comes with some downsides too! For example:

• You’re not in control of your own ride. If you need to get somewhere on time, or if you have an appointment at a certain place and time, then this can be problematic because there’s no guarantee that the driver will drive fast enough for your liking.
• You don’t know what car you’ll be getting either–and sometimes they’re not very nice vehicles (like my friend who was given an old minivan). Or maybe they just haven’t been cleaned recently so there’s crumbs in the seatbelt area or something like that…
• Another downside is that there’s no way to bring along anything extra; whether it’s just another passenger or something else entirely (like groceries), having access only limits what kind of things we can do during trips!

Conclusion

Ride-sharing is definitely convenient but this convenience comes with some downsides too!