Photo Credit: Balikci / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images Ride-hailing services, already drowning in sexual assault allegations, now have another strike against them. A new report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) highlights the negative impact of platforms like Uber and Lyft on our environment. Sure, it’s an attractive option for travelers without access to a vehicle. But ride hailing as a service actually increases pollution and congestion; it encourages folks to hop into a car rather than taking public transportation. “As the climate crisis becomes even more urgent, it is more ..read more

Uber puts drivers in charge of their own fares. (Photo Credit: Uber) Uber is testing a feature that allows some California drivers to set their own fares. Motorists ferrying passengers from airports in Palm Springs, Sacramento, and Santa Barbara may now charge up to five times the standard amount, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. This “initial test,” according to Uber, gives chauffeurs more autonomy—a direct response to the state’s new gig-economy law, which paves the way for better labor protections. California Assembly Bill 5 took effect Jan. 1, and entitles workers classifie ..read more

Lyft teams up with safety and security expert ADT (via Lyft) Lyft and ADT have teamed up to develop new ridesharing security features. The partnership kicks off in earnest early next year with a pilot program that lets users signal to ADT via the Lyft app if they need assistance. In case of an emergency (or perhaps an uneasy feeling about the trip), riders and drivers can discreetly connect via voice or text with a security professional at one of ADT’s monitoring centers. After contacting the consumer—or if there is no response—ADT will alert local authorities, who can follow up as ne ..read more

(via Lyft) Lyft now offers rides to more people who need them most. The ridesharing firm has become a Medicaid provider in Arizona, where non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) is covered for eligible patients. Aimed at low-income individuals who don’t require special assistance, but may not have a car or license, the program makes it easy to book a Lyft to take folks to their annual checkup or monthly exam. With approximately 23 percent of its population enrolled in Medicaid, Arizona is the first state to develop regulations that create a specific provider type just for rideshar ..read more

Photo Credit: Balikci / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images Uber and Lyft have partnered with Portland International Airport to shorten rider wait times and help reduce traffic congestion in Oregon’s largest city. The ride hailing services this week each announced new pickup features for a smoother curbside experience. Once you’ve disembarked and collected your luggage, launch your preferred transportation network and follow a few simple directions. Uber: Enter your destination and request an UberX trip to receive a six-digit personal identification number (PIN) Walk to the Uber pickup zone ..read more

Discounted Lyft rides bring families closer to healthy eating (via NeONBRAND/Unsplash) Following successful pilots in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, the Lyft Grocery Access Program will provide affordable rides to the supermarket for families in a dozen more cities. For folks living in a food desert—like the nation’s sprawling capital—finding affordable and nutritious ingredients often requires a car or multiple forms of public transit. So, in December, ride-sharing service Lyft partnered with charity Martha’s Table to launch the Grocery Access Program. Families with a child enrolled ..read more

Photo Credit: Balikci / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images Uber is cracking down on fake rideshare drivers after a college student was murdered last month waiting for a pick up. The transportation network, in partnership with the University of South Carolina, has launched the Campus Safety Initiative: a national effort to help students learn how to avoid fraudulent chauffeurs. In March, 21-year-old USC student Samantha Josephson went missing after getting into a car outside a Columbia bar. Her body was later found on a secluded dirt road in nearby Clarendon County. The Columbia Police Depa ..read more

Photo Credit: Lyft More Americans are taking advantage of ride-hailing apps, including Lyft and Uber, to travel to airports, restaurants, and workspaces across the nation. On Thursday, Pew Research Center released survey results in a blog post, which showed an increase in ride-hailing app use in the U.S. over the past three years. In the blog post, Pew Research Center expressed how more Americans are aware of these ride-hailing apps, and how they use them to conveniently travel to places. According to a fall 2018 survey conducted by Pew Research Center, 36 percent of U.S. adults said ..read more

Photo Credit: Element5 Digital/Unsplash The day is almost here — Election Day, that is. You’ve registered to vote (we hope), did your research on the candidates, and located your polling place for Tuesday. Now you just have to get there. Getting to the polls can be an obstacle for most voters, but luckily there are many companies — from bike-share operators to ride-hailing apps — that are helping make it easier to get out to do your civic duty. Lime The bike- and scooter-share company is offering a free 30-minute ride on November 6, Election Day. Enter code LIME2VOTE18 to unlock Lime ..read more