How can I make sure I'm the only passenger in my Uber or Lyft ride?
April 15, 2021 4:31 PM Subscribe
I'm confused. I don't use ride sharing services often, but I'm vaccinated now and sometimes I have to take transportation to go to an appointment (like today).
I went to the Uber app and UberX had an icon of three people on it (maybe it was UberXL?) I got the idea that they were saying up to two other people (strangers) might get on and off the ride with me? I got scared (because of Covid) and wound up calling a car service (which had its own problems, like my having to tell the driver to put his mask on!).
I have another appointment tomorrow and I went back to the Uber and Lyft apps and now I'm getting the idea that the three little heads means that *I* can ride with two other people of my choice, and that this is different from strangers getting in and out of the car during my ride!?
Help! I googled but I'm still not sure how this works! I am a single person who wants to take a ride ALONE (with the driver) to a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning!
I'm in New York City if that makes any difference.
I went to the Uber app and UberX had an icon of three people on it (maybe it was UberXL?) I got the idea that they were saying up to two other people (strangers) might get on and off the ride with me? I got scared (because of Covid) and wound up calling a car service (which had its own problems, like my having to tell the driver to put his mask on!).
I have another appointment tomorrow and I went back to the Uber and Lyft apps and now I'm getting the idea that the three little heads means that *I* can ride with two other people of my choice, and that this is different from strangers getting in and out of the car during my ride!?
Help! I googled but I'm still not sure how this works! I am a single person who wants to take a ride ALONE (with the driver) to a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning!
I'm in New York City if that makes any difference.
Best answer: Unless you use UberPool or Lyft Line, you'll be riding alone. UberX isn't a shared ride, but you can indeed bring along others if you like.
posted by wierdo at 4:36 PM on April 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by wierdo at 4:36 PM on April 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Like, looking at the app right now - it says "UberX -- Affordable rides all to yourself." I have used Uber and UberX and other forms of Uber a zillion times and never shared with strangers. I think that's only the "Pool" mode.
posted by Mid at 4:37 PM on April 15, 2021
posted by Mid at 4:37 PM on April 15, 2021
Response by poster: Thank you all so much. I am so nervous getting "out" after a year (I am 70) and maybe just not trusting myself/the world/etc. very much yet. Much appreciate your expertise on this!
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:40 PM on April 15, 2021 [46 favorites]
posted by DMelanogaster at 4:40 PM on April 15, 2021 [46 favorites]
You're not alone, John Boehner got the different Uber modes confused and spent months carsharing by accident.
posted by BungaDunga at 5:13 PM on April 15, 2021 [19 favorites]
posted by BungaDunga at 5:13 PM on April 15, 2021 [19 favorites]
Hi - I don't think Uber or Lyft are even offering the option where you are sharing a ride with a stranger right now. Usually that was something you could do if you wanted a cheaper ride - but when the pandemic started, they stopped doing that (for obvious reasons).
The icon showing multiple people is just a way for you to know how many other people who know each other can travel together - like, if you had to take your two kids to the doctor or something, you'd make sure the car could fit at least 3 passengers.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:29 PM on April 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
The icon showing multiple people is just a way for you to know how many other people who know each other can travel together - like, if you had to take your two kids to the doctor or something, you'd make sure the car could fit at least 3 passengers.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:29 PM on April 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
I used shared carpool all the time and everyone is correct ... you couldn't share a ride with strangers right now even if you wanted to. Enjoy your ride!
posted by cyndigo at 7:49 PM on April 15, 2021
posted by cyndigo at 7:49 PM on April 15, 2021
Response by poster: "I don't think Uber or Lyft are even offering the option where you are sharing a ride with a stranger right now." ---
EXACTLY -- this is why I was confused!!!! even that the option seemed to be offered seemed insane! and now I know why. I thought, well, they're opening up restaurants as the 4th surge is upon us, so here's just some other INSANE thing NY is doing!
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:58 PM on April 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
EXACTLY -- this is why I was confused!!!! even that the option seemed to be offered seemed insane! and now I know why. I thought, well, they're opening up restaurants as the 4th surge is upon us, so here's just some other INSANE thing NY is doing!
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:58 PM on April 15, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by Mid at 4:35 PM on April 15, 2021 [8 favorites]