22 votes

Uber and Lyft prices vary for the same rides

23 comments

  1. [17]
    skybrian
    Link
    From the article: ... ... ... That's a lot of rides.

    From the article:

    Across four days, my colleague Andrea and I tested prices on 80 different routes around San Francisco. Using both test and personal accounts, we entered the same start and end points into Uber and Lyft within moments of each other.

    Their base fares differed by 14 percent on our test accounts — a gap of $4.15 per trip.

    The thing is, neither app was consistently cheaper. They flip-flopped. So you really do have to check both.

    ...

    In my tests, the bottom-line prices — after promotional discounts — diverged even more dramatically for Uber. Its discounted price varied by 25 percent between my test and personal accounts.

    ...

    The same economists studied how people actually use the Uber and Lyft apps. They found only 16 percent of riders who open one app also open the other to check prices.

    ...

    A regular New York City rider who takes 100 trips a year could save about $177 annually by comparison shopping (though actual savings depend on trip lengths).

    That's a lot of rides.

    13 votes
    1. [4]
      boxer_dogs_dance
      Link Parent
      I watched Uber act in grossly unethical ways as they expanded around the world. Uber has earned my dislike and a soft boycott from me. Lyft was not as bad so I choose them where feasible.

      I watched Uber act in grossly unethical ways as they expanded around the world.

      Uber has earned my dislike and a soft boycott from me. Lyft was not as bad so I choose them where feasible.

      23 votes
      1. Eji1700
        Link Parent
        Was a real moment of showing who practiced what they preached. Uber is one of the most unethical companies ever, but sooo many people I knew who swore up and down they wouldn't support bad...

        Was a real moment of showing who practiced what they preached. Uber is one of the most unethical companies ever, but sooo many people I knew who swore up and down they wouldn't support bad practices just met me with "well cabs are bad too!" when presented with their practices.

        Now that uber's got a market captured and is jacking up prices, suddenly they care again.

        10 votes
      2. [2]
        chocobean
        Link Parent
        I forget why we hated them and if those concerns have been addressed over the years? One was that they wouldn't help drivers get insurance, and another thing I recall was contractors vs employees?...

        I forget why we hated them and if those concerns have been addressed over the years? One was that they wouldn't help drivers get insurance, and another thing I recall was contractors vs employees? I think they're now employees, and there's special insurance drivers buy to cover accidents right? Lyft has been cheaper (so far) so I hadn't had much of a struggle

        2 votes
        1. boxer_dogs_dance
          Link Parent
          Here is a list from 2019 that doesn't present the controversies in any particular order. Of the ones mentioned, I was concerned about disregarding users privacy and willfully ignoring and evading...

          Here is a list from 2019 that doesn't present the controversies in any particular order.
          Of the ones mentioned, I was concerned about disregarding users privacy and willfully ignoring and evading existing laws in their attempts to grow.

          6 votes
    2. [10]
      phoenixrises
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      It surprises me that only 16% of people check both apps. I just moved to NYC and even though I have Lyft Pink (for citibike) I still check both apps and most of the time Uber is still cheaper for me.

      It surprises me that only 16% of people don't check both apps. I just moved to NYC and even though I have Lyft Pink (for citibike) I still check both apps and most of the time Uber is still cheaper for me.

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        DeaconBlue
        Link Parent
        I'll count myself in that 16% I don't do rideshare things generally. If I do, it's on a work trip where I am reimbursed for the money spent on them and I'm not spending my time toggling between...

        I'll count myself in that 16%

        I don't do rideshare things generally.

        If I do, it's on a work trip where I am reimbursed for the money spent on them and I'm not spending my time toggling between apps to save the company a couple of dollars on a trip that I don't want to be on in the first place. I ask the company what app they want me to use and just go with whatever they say.

        9 votes
        1. phoenixrises
          Link Parent
          yeah if it's reimbursed I generally don't really care either but I use it more for day to day!

          yeah if it's reimbursed I generally don't really care either but I use it more for day to day!

      2. jackson
        Link Parent
        It depends on the city for me. Seattle has almost always had cheaper Lyft rides so I haven't really bothered checking Uber lately. When I'm somewhere unfamiliar, I'll check both. I think the fact...

        It depends on the city for me. Seattle has almost always had cheaper Lyft rides so I haven't really bothered checking Uber lately. When I'm somewhere unfamiliar, I'll check both.

        I think the fact that they tested in SF also skewed the results somewhat. My assumption has always been that the price will be lower on the platform with more drivers (supply and demand), and SF likely has one of the highest densities of both in the country.

        4 votes
      3. [2]
        skybrian
        Link Parent
        You got that backwards. They're saying only 16% open both apps.

        You got that backwards. They're saying only 16% open both apps.

        2 votes
        1. phoenixrises
          Link Parent
          whoops I knew that in my head but I also used a double negative or something, this is my brain on public transpo

          whoops I knew that in my head but I also used a double negative or something, this is my brain on public transpo

          2 votes
      4. Minori
        Link Parent
        Chase credit cards give 5-10% back on Lyft rides, so it's rarely worth comparison shopping. I imagine some business users with corporate accounts are similarly locked in.

        Chase credit cards give 5-10% back on Lyft rides, so it's rarely worth comparison shopping. I imagine some business users with corporate accounts are similarly locked in.

        2 votes
      5. [2]
        Moogles
        Link Parent
        Some of the Taxis are nicer now and of similar price. Depending on where you’re at there won’t be a wait to just hop in one either.

        Some of the Taxis are nicer now and of similar price. Depending on where you’re at there won’t be a wait to just hop in one either.

        1 vote
        1. chocobean
          Link Parent
          Personally, I've always had a mix of good and bad taxi's, which means I won't get a taxi again unless I have absolutely no choice. That "some" are nice doesn't cut it for me anymore. Recently used...

          Personally, I've always had a mix of good and bad taxi's, which means I won't get a taxi again unless I have absolutely no choice. That "some" are nice doesn't cut it for me anymore.

          Recently used Lyft's priority add on, and they will refund if you end up waiting for more than 5 mins. I also can't go back to having to argue with a driver physically, instead of safely hiding being an app or credit card company.

          2 votes
      6. stu2b50
        Link Parent
        Depends on the distance. If it’s like a $60+ ride from the airport I’ll check both, if it’s like 10-15 minute ride I’ll just use uber.

        Depends on the distance. If it’s like a $60+ ride from the airport I’ll check both, if it’s like 10-15 minute ride I’ll just use uber.

    3. babypuncher
      Link Parent
      I use Lyft by default because of Uber's long history of unethical business practices. I only "comparison shop" if Lyft is giving me a price that seems unusually high for the trip, but even then...

      I use Lyft by default because of Uber's long history of unethical business practices. I only "comparison shop" if Lyft is giving me a price that seems unusually high for the trip, but even then the difference is rarely more than a couple dollars so I stick with Lyft anyways.

      4 votes
    4. EgoEimi
      Link Parent
      So that's... on avg $1.77 a ride. Seems quite insignificant.

      A regular New York City rider who takes 100 trips a year could save about $177 annually by comparison shopping (though actual savings depend on trip lengths).

      So that's... on avg $1.77 a ride. Seems quite insignificant.

      4 votes
  2. [5]
    moonwalker
    Link
    In major cities check if there's a driver co-op. Mine has way better service than Lyft or Uber with comparable pricing

    In major cities check if there's a driver co-op. Mine has way better service than Lyft or Uber with comparable pricing

    5 votes
    1. chocobean
      Link Parent
      What are some other keywords? Are there brands or platforms or more word of mouth? When I type in Vancouver driver co-op all I get are car shares

      What are some other keywords? Are there brands or platforms or more word of mouth?

      When I type in Vancouver driver co-op all I get are car shares

      4 votes
    2. [3]
      chundissimo
      Link Parent
      Similar to the other reply, how does one typically request a ride? By phone? App?

      Similar to the other reply, how does one typically request a ride? By phone? App?

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        moonwalker
        Link Parent
        It's an app! Nearly identical rider experience

        It's an app! Nearly identical rider experience

        2 votes
        1. chundissimo
          Link Parent
          What’s the app for your city? I doubt I live where you do but I’m curious to check it out (and maybe I’ll remember it if I visit some day)

          What’s the app for your city? I doubt I live where you do but I’m curious to check it out (and maybe I’ll remember it if I visit some day)

          1 vote