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Lyft joins new alliance seeking to clean up ridesharing's insurance mess
Although there's now some legal groundwork in place for ridesharing companies, insurance remains a gray area -- witness the Uber driver who was involved in a fatal accident while off work. How do you cover a car that's both personal transportation and a source of income? We may soon have a clearer picture thanks to the newly created Peer-to-Peer Rideshare Insurance Coalition. The alliance between government, insurance firms and transporters will set guidelines for insuring ridesharing services. Only Lyft and the California Public Utlities Commission have announced their membership so far, but a full roster should be coming later in the week. A first meeting, meanwhile, is due later in February. Not that Lyft is waiting to take action; it's adding coverage beyond drivers' personal insurance while they're on duty.
Riding-sharing service Lyft updates its iOS app with multiple-credit card support, new cities
You may have already seen a Lyft driver without knowing it. If not, you will. One day, you'll be on your way to the grocery store, and a car will pass you. That car will be wearing a funny pink mustache. And someone will be getting a ride. Lyft is a ride-sharing program that draws from a community of drivers who have passed background checks and personality screenings. Once you make your account, simply set your pick-up location in the app and request a ride. You will be picked up by a Lyft driver in their personal vehicle; they'll take you to the store or the movies; and you pay them via a donation. Currently, the company runs in a limited number of cities, though it is expanding every month. Lyft is currently available in these cities: Atlanta, Ga. Boston, Mass. Charlotte, NC Chicago, Ill. Dallas, Texas Denver, Colo. Indianapolis, Ind. Los Angeles, Calif. Phoenix, Ariz. San Diego, Calif. San Francisco, Calif. Seattle, Wash. Silicon Valley, Calif. St. Paul, Minn. Washington, DC Denver, Dallas and Silicon Valley are the latest editions. The company's iOS app makes getting a ride quick and easy. Using GPS, it shows you how many drivers are in your area and allows you to quickly give them your location. The Lyft app then gives you a suggested donated amount to pay the driver. In my experience in Atlanta, the drivers have always been clean, fun to ride with and quick to respond. This past week, the app was updated with a number of new features that are sure to please regular users. Lyft now supports multiple credit cards, meaning if you use it for business and pleasure, you can quickly move to the right account. This ability has been integrated into the donation screen. The app has also been optimized to increase its driver signup flow. If you find yourself often looking for a ride and live in one of these cities, give Lyft a try. It's an interesting take on getting where you're going.
California regulator sets rules for ridesharing companies
The California Public Utilities Commission approved ridesharing companies early this year, but it offered only a few temporary guidelines while it worked on a formal rule set. Today, the regulator has published those definitive rules. Companies like Lyft, SideCar and Uber now have to get a CPUC license to operate under a new Transportation Network Company category. To maintain that license, they'll have to run background checks, train drivers, hold a minimum level of insurance, inspect cars and drop employees who abuse alcohol or drugs. The requirements won't necessarily eliminate tension with Los Angeles and other cities that believe they have jurisdiction over taxi-like services. However, the CPUC's move gives California ridesharing companies a degree of comfort -- they can keep operating in many cities without fear of being shut down.
Los Angeles puts ridesharing companies on notice, demands local permits
Someone didn't get the memo, apparently. Despite California's Public Utilities Commission giving ridesharing services the all clear on a statewide level, Los Angeles' Department of Transportation has sent cease-and-desist warnings to Lyft, Sidecar and Uber, claiming that all three are breaking local laws by operating without city permits. Drivers could face arrests and lose their cars if they keep serving customers, according to the notices. Not surprisingly, the ridesharing firms have a very different opinion. Uber tells Engadget that it's operating a limousine-like service which only needs PUC permission to operate, and Lyft says it's talking with the Mayor's office to resolve what it believes is a "state issue." For now, we're at an impasse -- let's just hope that Los Angeles follows in New York's footsteps and tries to reach a happy medium.
Uber, other car-hailing apps now a-okay with California regulators
Uber and similar ride-hailing apps have had their run-ins against authorities before, but it looks like the town car service is finally getting a reprieve, at least in California. Last October, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency issued a cease and desist order plus a $20,000 citation to private car ventures like Uber, Lyft and Sidecar over an apparent lack of permits and licenses. However, the commission changed its tune in December when it decided to evaluate the safety of such services, and has now suspended those complaints altogether as it works toward a resolution. More over, the CPUC officially approved ridesharing -- where the drivers are not specifically licensed to drive a limousine or a taxi -- thus legitimizing Lyft and opening the door for others to offer such services in the future. The CPUC states it'll still require "continued proof of insurance, Department of Motor Vehicle checks and national criminal background checks," especially if the service uses "non-licensed charter party carriers." Regardless, it's still a victorious day for lazy smartphone-wielding commuters in the Golden State.
