Ride-hailing service Lyft is testing a new service that looks a lot like a bus route in San Francisco (CA) and Chicago (IL). An extension of its carpool service Lyft Line, the new Lyft Shuttle operates along a fixed route with predetermined pick-up and drop-off locations. The service will be available during weekday peak periods only (6:30 AM – 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM) and fares will be based on time and distance. Lyft has not released additional operating details. “Lyft Line is the future of rideshare, and we often test new features that we believe will have positive impact on our passengers’ transportation options,” a Lyft spokesperson said in an email to the San Francisco Examiner. “We look forward to feedback on Shuttle from the Lyft community; we see a number of commuting use cases that this mode will make easier.” Initial feedback from the transit community is cautious. “It’s more privatization of our public sector and our public transportation system,” said Sue Vaughan, a member of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Citizens Advisory Council. “We need to have a big conversation about this.” Lyft is not the first ride-hailing service to test fixed-route shuttles. Uber previously tried a similar experiment — also in San Francisco — called Smart Routes. Link to full story in San Francisco Examiner. Image source: Lyft
Ride - hailing company limited is piloting a new bus - like service in color Francisco and beyond . The Lyft Shuttle service offers fixed pick - up and drop - off stops along a predetermined route , and will be available during weekday peak hours . The Shuttle is designed to provide commuters with more transport options , but has provoked an uneasy response from the public transit sector . “ It ’s more reflective of our public sector and our public transportation system ” , warned robin Vaughan , a member of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Citizens Advisory board .