That’s kind of like the question, “Do you save money by shopping at Walmart?” (not really)
While Lyft is definitely more convenient than traditional cab ride services, you are probably paying more during peak times as this Lyft driver admits;
“So ‘red zone’ is pretty much the busiest time of the night,” Mosley said. “If you’re in a ‘red zone,’ and you order a Lyft it’s gonna be a little bit more –you’re in a busy zone — so it’s gonna be a little bit more.”
Of course when you are standing outside a bar in the middle of January, half-popped at 2:15 AM you would be willing to pay more for a ride service that is quicker. Also Lyft probably tends to be cheaper OR the same price during non-peak hours. The difference is this;
“I think what a lot of people don’t understand is the city cab industry is regulated by the City of Sioux Falls because the city should watch it,” Hodson said.
“Somehow we have to level out this playing field,” Hodson said. “Otherwise, as many people as you just put to work, are out of work.”
Lyft doesn’t have to follow the same rules. For instance they can get a background check done within a couple of hours where the local companies may have to wait several days. After the recent terrorist attack in NYC where the attacker was a registered Lyft driver who was also on the FBI’s terrorist watch list, some wonder if Lyft’s quick background checks are good enough.
To tell you the truth I wish the city didn’t regulate any of the cab companies except having an equal background checking system to make it fair.
I still think all along the reason the negotiations with Lyft were done in SECRET was to not let the traditional cab companies know the city was going to put the screws to them. Bow to corporate America Sioux Falls they will own all of us soon.