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A researcher rode more than 5,000 miles with Uber and Lyft and discovered the biggest differences between the two ride-hailing giants.

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bob
175 Rider
 Posted 6 years, 1 month ago

Seems like pretty basic stuff we all already know - Lyft allowed tipping before Uber, Lyft is generally the "nicer company", etc. Apparently this was all done as research for a book "Uberland". Has anyone read it?

https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-vs-lyft-biggest-differences-a-researcher-found-in-5000-miles-alex-rosenblatt-uberland-book-2018-10

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    FuegoJuno
    128
     5 years ago

    Sure he did this for research. Looks like a way to write off his personal Uber bills as business expense...

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      KUrlerPhi
      70
       5 years ago

      Now, now, let’s not judge the book by its cover. 

      Then again, if the most intriguing thing about this book is the fact he rode an Uber for 5000 miles, I can’t imagine the content to be that good. 

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        Uberserge
        1300 Rider Driver
         5 years ago  (edited 5 years ago)

        The aithor is a she, the article is garbage, the book is very good.

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        ChazKillington
        40
         5 years ago

        I was thinking the same thing. The journalist who picked up this story couldn’t come up with anything interesting to say. 

        The most eye catching is the 5000 mile thing which was supposed to give him credibility. That is such a clock bait.  Then we read it and it has nothing interesting

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          butterworth67
          83 Rider
           5 years ago

          The author is a she, this was already stated multiple times.

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      Uberserge
      1300 Rider Driver
       5 years ago

      The author is a she, it's a very goid book,,I recommend it. The article doesn't cover .01% of the book.

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    MickDorsey
    108 Driver
     5 years ago

    This article is so poor. After 5000 miles, these are the findings?  And it admits I fo came from online forums. 

    "Among most drivers I meet in person, and the countless number I've observed in online forums," writes Rosenblat, "there is a near-universal consensus that Lyft treats its drivers better than Uber."

    And seriously, this is all anecdotal. No data  

    Then there are the passengers themselves. 

    "It's not uncommon for drivers to describe Uber passengers as higher class," writes Rosenblat, "but also as stuck up, and to say they prefer Lyft because the passengers are more friendly or engaging."

    I’d be so pissed as an editor if my writer brought me this. There no way I’m signing that expense reimbursement request. 

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      momof4
      8198 Rider Driver
       5 years ago

      I call BS on Lyft treating drivers better. I also call BS about Uber riders being "higher class" or "stuck up". However Uber passengers are slightly different. More vocal, ask for more (change the music, can you make a stop, can you drop my friend off a few blocks away?)I tend to get more rides from Uber. Lyft pick ups are usually further than 12 min away. More shared then pool requests. More XL on Uber than Lyft. Lyft riders never say they dont know how to do something in the app. Uber riders always have trouble (I cant find where to add stop, I dont know how to schedule a trip). I guess you can say some Uber riders are more needy and definately expect more:)

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    Uberserge
    1300 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    I have read her book and in fact she was on our podcast with RSG it's a must-read by everybody about how algorithms are running the human race

    Show Hide  3 Replies
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      MickDorsey
      108 Driver
       5 years ago

      Yeah? Are you saying this is a good book?  (And a crappy article?)

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        Uberserge
        1300 Rider Driver
         5 years ago

        The article doesn't come close to the why the book was written.

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        Uberserge
        1300 Rider Driver
         5 years ago

        It's a great book, you'll enjoy it. Most articles in MSM these days are full of fluff, not factual or PR for others.

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    Wes
    1602 Rider Driver
     5 years ago

    If you went back 2-3 years, I would definitely have said Lyft was the nicer company.  They seemed to lend a caring ear to their drivers.  At one time, you always met with a mentor (whom Lyft paid) and also have a driving test and car inspection when you signed up.  That's how it was when I signed up even though I'd already been with Uber for a year.  But now that has changed (at least in our market)

    But today, honestly, they're both fighting for survival and profits and other than the reality that Lyft is generally less costly to the passenger (at least I've found that to be true in my market area), otherwise they're pretty much identical IMO.  

    I do believe you make a few more bucks driving for Uber, and you definitely have a much greater surge opportunity with Uber in my experience, although lately that seems to be much less.  perhaps too many drivers, perhaps a change in the algorythm.  

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    JoeKarpel
    3
     6 years ago

    Not sure why Lyft is considered the "nicer" company. In my opinion, they both treat drivers pretty poorly. Lyft scammed me out of my sign up bonus too...

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      Uberserge
      1300 Rider Driver
       5 years ago

      As you correctly stated, Lyft isn't the nicer company, they just had better PR since Uber is a total disaster.

      Uber=Evil Empire

      Lyft=Dysfunctional Little Sister