Which is better for seniors Uber or Lyft?

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Rideshare services provide numerous advantages for seniors compared to traditional taxis. With Uber and Lyft, there’s no need to flag down a cab—just a single tap on your phone gets you a ride.

Not only are these services often more affordable and safer than taxis, but they also offer well-maintained vehicles with accessibility options tailored for seniors. However, a common question arises: Which is the better choice for seniors Uber or Lyft?

In this article, we take a deep dive into both services to help you determine which one best meets your needs.

Which Rideshare Service is Better for Seniors, Uber or Lyft?

Let us compare the features and benefits of both services in detail. You can also refer to past Uber and Lyft articles to know in-depth details of each service for seniors.

This article compares both services on the basis of:

1. Safety Features
2. Cost
3. Using Uber and Lyft without Smartphones
4. Availability
5. Ease of Use
6. Senior Discount
7. Accessibility
8. Drivers Behavior
9. Quality of Vehicles
10. Similarities of both services

Let us start.

1: Safety

Safety is a top priority for seniors using rideshare services, and both Uber and Lyft implement multiple measures to ensure passenger security.

Uber’s Safety Features

• Driver Screening: Uber conducts background checks through a third-party service (Checkr) to verify that drivers have a clean criminal record and a safe driving history, free from major or recent minor violations.
• Vehicle Safety Standards: Uber only allows vehicles under 15 years old and prohibits rental cars. Drivers must provide proof of car insurance and pass a professional inspection covering brakes, tires, lights, mirrors, seatbelts, and overall vehicle condition.
• Trusted Contacts: Uber enables riders to share their trip details with trusted contacts, allowing them to track the ride in real time for added peace of mind.
• Driver and Car Verification: Before entering a vehicle, the app provides the driver’s name, photo, and car details to ensure you’re getting into the correct ride.
• Private and Monitored Communication: All communication through the Uber app is monitored, and your phone number remains private, ensuring safe interactions with drivers.
• Emergency Assistance: If an emergency arises, you can contact the police directly through the app, and Uber’s GPS will share your location with authorities for a faster response.

In case of emergency, you can contact police from within the app so they know your location through Uber GPS.

Lyft’s Safety Features

• Driver Screening: Lyft also uses Checkr for background checks, screening drivers for criminal history and driving violations. However, unlike Uber, Lyft does not require annual screenings and instead runs periodic background checks.
• Vehicle Safety Requirements: Drivers must pass a vehicle inspection to ensure their car meets safety standards. The age requirement for vehicles varies by city and state, but no car older than a 2002 model is allowed.
• Driver and Car Verification: Like Uber, Lyft provides the driver’s name, photo, car model, and license plate number before pickup.
• Share Ride Details: Lyft also allows riders to share trip details with trusted contacts for added safety.
• Dedicated Safety Support: Both Lyft and Uber have dedicated safety phone numbers and enforce a zero-tolerance policy against drivers caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Winner: Uber

While both Uber and Lyft take safety seriously, Uber has the edge for seniors. Uber was the first to release assault incident reports and remains more transparent about safety issues.

Additionally, Uber requires annual driver screening reports (and even more frequent checks in some cities), making it the safer choice for senior riders.

2: Cost

One of the main reasons people use ridesharing services is to save money on their travel. So, when it comes to cost per ride which is better for seniors Uber or Lyft?

Ride Guru analyzed the cost of a ride on Uber, Lyft and Taxi in 20 major US cities and the results show

• Uber is cheaper in 15 out of 20 cities. In most cities, Uber and Lyft are in close competition.
• While Lyft is doing better in a few cities it is an ideal option for New Yorkers where it is beating Uber by a considerable margin.
• Traditional taxis are number 3 (more expensive than Uber and Lyft) in 19 out of 20 cities

There are other researches that show similar results. According to Investopedia, an average ride is less expensive on Uber as compared to Lyft.

The cost of an average ride is $20 on Uber as compared to 27$ on Lyft.

Both Uber and Lyft offer fare estimate tools (Price Estimate by Uber & Fare Estimate by Lyft) that you can use to see which service is offering better pricing in your city.

Winner: Uber

Research indicates that Uber tends to be more affordable than Lyft in most U.S. cities. However, the price difference is often minimal, making it a close competition between the two ridesharing services.

For seniors looking to save on transportation, it’s always a good idea to use the price estimator available on both Uber and Lyft apps to compare fares in real time and choose the most cost-effective option for their city.

3: Using Uber and Lyft without Smartphones

While seniors are adopting smartphones rapidly, many still prefer simpler cell phones. Both Uber and Lyft offer a few options to request a ride without their apps.

Uber for Seniors without Smartphones

Seniors can get an Uber ride using one of the following options if they do not have a smartphone.

1. Uber’s Mobile Site: Login to your Uber account at m.uber.com on your computer and request a ride.
2. Use the “Request Ride for Someone Else” feature: Uber App has the option to book a ride for someone else by providing their pickup address. Family members or friends can help the elderly to get an Uber ride using this option.
3. Using GoGoGrandparent Service: Call GoGoGrandparent to book an Uber ride for you.

The above 3 options can get an Uber ride for seniors without smartphones

Lyft for Seniors without Smartphones

Lyft also has some options for seniors to get rides without smartphones and the Lyft app.

1. Request a Ride Through Web: Same as Uber, login to your Lyft account at ride.lyft.com and request a ride by providing pickup and drop-off locations.
2. Use the “Request a Ride for Someone Else”: Lyft also offers an option to book a ride for other people. Your family member, caretaker, or friend can help you by requesting a ride for you through their Lyft App.
3. Use GoGoGrandparent Service: You can use GoGoGrandParent service to get a Lyft ride without Lyft app.
4. Use Jitterbug Phone: Call a Lively Personal Operator by dialing “0” from your Jitterbug phone and request a ride to be arranged by the personal operator through Lyft.

These 4 options are useful for seniors who cannot use the Lyft App or do not own a smartphone.

Winner: Lyft

Both Uber and Lyft have multiple options for seniors to get a ride without smartphone apps. Jitterbug phone users can book Lyft rides through their phones.

Lyft is a winner here because of its partnership with lively.com.

4: Availability

You can find Uber services in 10,000 cities in 63 countries while Lyft is only available in the US and Canada (321 cities in North America).

Uber also has more active users and drivers, as compared to Lyft, who use the service regularly.

Winner: Uber

Uber is a winner and has much better coverage.  You might have a better chance of scoring an Uber ride as compared to a Lyft ride.

5: Ease of Use

Most seniors are not tech-savvy so tech issues and glitches turn them away from using a service. So, when it comes to ease of use which is better for seniors Uber or Lyft? Let us find out.

While both Uber and Lyft apps are user-friendly, some key differences exist.

The highlights of the Uber App include:

• Uber App has a navigable interface with a clean and organized look
• The map works well in the app to take you on the shortest route with solid GPS to spot driver and rider
• You can see the approximate arrival time before booking the ride.
• You can use the app in dark mode and avoid straining your eyes if you are using Uber at night.
• The driver cannot see the rider’s profile picture when picking them up. It is good for safety but makes it harder for the driver to spot the rider.

Lyft also has a senior-friendly interface but there are some issues and glitches in

Lyft app when you compare it with Uber.

• The map has issues with zooming and navigation and drivers have a hard time following the routes. The developers encourage drivers to use Waze rather than Lyft when traveling.
• Like Uber App, you can see the driver’s photo, car model and color, and license plate to verify the identity
• The driver can see the rider’s location through the GPS
• Unlike Uber, Lyft does not show arrival time before booking

Lyft App has fewer updates and still needs some work.

Winner: Uber

Uber wins when it comes to ease of use for seniors. The app is well organized with fewer glitches and solid GPS and map. 

6: Seniors Discount

Uber and Lyft do not offer any discounts for seniors specifically but they have general subscription programs (Lyft Pink and Uber Pass).

Lyft has a “Grocery Access Program” where discounted Lyft rides are offered for seniors and low-income families heading to and from grocery stores, farmers markets, food pantries, and SNAP benefits appointments in neighborhoods without access to fresh and healthy food.

Winner: Lyft

Uber and Lyft need to do more for senior citizens. Lyft’s “Grocery Access Program” makes it a winner here.

7: Accessibility

Uber has Uber Assist and Uber WAV (wheelchair-accessible vehicles) to help seniors with walkers, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and crutches.

Uber Assist drivers are trained to assist passengers from wheelchairs to the car. It is a great service (costs the same as regular Uber X) for seniors with foldable wheelchairs, and hearing/vision impairments.

Uber WAV vehicles are equipped with a ramp or lift to help wheelchair passengers get in and out of the vehicles. It is ideal for seniors who use non-collapsible wheelchairs. Lyft also has a WAV rides program but it is available in a few US cities and only in Toronto in Canada.

Winner: Uber

Uber wins when it comes to Accessibility options. Both Uber WAV and Uber Assist options are available at no extra cost.

8: Driver’s Behavior

The drivers generally have a polite and positive attitude to riders because they depend on ratings from riders. With constant low ratings, unprofessional drivers are weeded out of Uber and Lyft.

In general, Uber is more corporate while Lyft is more casual. If you like chatting with drivers, Lyft is a better option.  The Lyft vibe is much more relaxed and drivers welcome riders with a fist bump and encourage them to sit in the front seat.

Winner

Uber and Lyft both win when it comes to driver behavior.

9: Quality of Vehicles

Uber and Lyft make sure the vehicles are in excellent condition. Both companies need annual inspection reports for vehicles where the inner working is checked along with brakes, tires, lights, mirrors, and the outlook of the car.

Uber does not allow cars that are more than 15 years old or rented in their service. Lyft’s car demands are city and state-specific but cars older than 2002 are not allowed.

Winner: Uber

If you want to impress someone, Uber might be a better choice. Lyft also offers some high-end vehicle options but Uber vehicles are generally better so Uber wins here.

10: Similarities

Uber and Lyft have many similarities in how they operate. I found some of the features that are shared by Uber and Lyft

• Wait Time: Uber and Lyft have similar wait times (5 to 20 minutes) after you request a ride.
• Schedule in Advance: Seniors can schedule rides in advance on both services
• Request Ride for Others: Both have the option to request a ride for others

And many other features are common between both services.

Final Verdict

So, which is better for seniors Uber or Lyft? While both services have their benefits, Overall Uber is a better choice for seniors in most areas.

Choose Uber for

• Better safety records with complete transparency
• Widely available (10,000 cities in 63 countries)
• Better functioning App
• Better Accessibility options (Uber Assist and WAV)
• High-end vehicles
• Better driver screening (annual screening and more frequent in some places)

Choose Lyft for

• More options to request a ride without smartphones
• Friendly vibe and casual approach from drivers
• Better pricing in busy areas like New York City
• Grocery Access Program offers senior discounts in some areas

Here are some more articles on Uber and Lyft

• How to get Uber without a smartphone
• How to get Lyft without a smartphone
• How to get Uber for disabled individuals
• 6 Ways to save money on Lyft rides