Congestion pricing for use of city streets would quickly solve any problems due to increased use.
Public transportation systems doing a better job of serving communities than Uber or Lyft would also work.
New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
51–60 of 458 posts
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#52In SF a bus ride used to cost 2.25$, and I think it’s now 2.50$. Lyft line most of the time is 4$ + 1$ for an extra passenger. Uber is probably similar and perhaps cheaper, I don’t know. In short, there’s no benefit in using busses anymore.
> In short, there’s no benefit in using busses anymore. Except these rides are still heavily subsidized and are more expensive than the bus at this subsidized rate.
Yeah but they are more convenient and comfortable. Doesn't that say something about current public transit thinking? Some People are willing to pay a little bit more if it is convenient and comfortable.
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#53Link to the actual report: https://itspubs.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/themes/ucdavis/pubs/d... What it actually says: "Directionally, based on mode substitution and ride-hailing frequency of use data, we conclude that ride-hailing is currently _likely to_ contribute to growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the major cities represented in this study." (Emphasis mine)
Are there realistic situations where a cheaper and more convenient form of driven transport leads to fewer VMT?
Sure. A faster / better / cheaper train or bus takes cars directly off the road. So you can add more subways / trains / buses / etc. to do this.
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#54In SF a bus ride used to cost 2.25$, and I think it’s now 2.50$. Lyft line most of the time is 4$ + 1$ for an extra passenger. Uber is probably similar and perhaps cheaper, I don’t know. In short, there’s no benefit in using busses anymore.
As others have pointed out, the rideshares are subsidized in many ways. Monetarily, not just by VCs, but also by drivers who don't get benefits or salary guarantees. Road infrastructure provided by the city that isn't fully supported by gas taxes. Externalities like constantly-blocked bike lanes and congestion that inconvenience others in the city.
$4 doesn't get you far in SF, but if you do pay that rate to go across town, just know that you're not paying your fair share to support the driver, maintain the roads, and are probably inconveniencing other drivers and cyclists more than if you were using a bus. Which is fine — but if you then go and argue that this is a reason to never support public transportation, you're just buying into the Lyft/Uber marketing.
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#55Link to the actual report: https://itspubs.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/themes/ucdavis/pubs/d... What it actually says: "Directionally, based on mode substitution and ride-hailing frequency of use data, we conclude that ride-hailing is currently _likely to_ contribute to growth in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the major cities represented in this study." (Emphasis mine)
Are there realistic situations where a cheaper and more convenient form of driven transport leads to fewer VMT?
If you care about the issue and think it's important, you need to make sacrifices. Otherwise it's just champaign socialist talk... You want to decrease co2, you have to start making changes in your lifestyle.
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#56Really?
Loud/disruptive/unpleasant homeless people have reduced mass transit use in SF and LA. Delaying bus rapid transit by six years[0] because environmental impact is measured by car travel times reduces mass transit usage. Blocking the creation of tech shuttle stops to "save" a dozen parking spots reduces mass transit usage.
Uber/Lyft are increasing VMT is merely a side-effect of the impossible regulatory environment here. Let's fix that.
[0] https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2014/07/transit-proje...
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#57I’m a big proponent of mass transit and when it’s available I use it if I can. But I can get Lyft door to door for just $1-2 more than a bus or train. If mass transit wants to keep with rideshare and livery they need to: expand routes, increase availability, update their equipment. When I was a kid I knew how to read a bus schedule and train map to plan my trip. Now, there is an entire generation of kids in school an…
> expand routes, increase availability, update their equipment. ... and be faster . The SFMTA in San Francisco , at an average travel speed of 5 miles / hour. Is only slightly faster than brisk walking. Also, from the downtown FiDi out 2 miles in every direction, the Bus has a bus stop at Every block. Yes, every block.
Chicago has a few express buses and is playing with the idea of more. Things like only 1 stop per half mile, a special lane to travel in, raised platforms, and magic that flips traffic signals for them.
http://www.transitchicago.com/ashlandbrt/
They are going for a 16 mph average speed, vs 21 mph that the subway gets. Obviously still a bit slow, but way better than a normal bus (which I think is 5-10 mph)
I know street space is a bit more of a premium in SF over Chicago, but it seems like a pretty good help. Not as good as a subway, but in theory much much cheaper to use, it uses existing streets with just a few rule changes.
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#58aren't lyfts/ubers still heavily subsidized? the true cost of a line or pool isn't ~$4, or at least won't be $4 forever.
Imagine if they achieve economies of scale and started introducing buses instead of cars. Imagine they improve efficiency by driving routes as requested by customers in realtime. Imagine if they were to charge customers based on how much it actually costs them to drive in real time so each customer can decide if its worth it based on their own needs. I can definitely see that such a world will be a lot more efficient in terms of transportation costs and time. If it requires subsidies so that they can achieve that economies of scale, so be it.
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#59I'm not surprised to be honest. In the city I currently live in, since moving here a year ago, I've never even gotten the bus because an uber is maybe twice the price but 10x more convenient and 5x as fast to get to the local train station... To get to the next city along, it's a 15min uber or >1hr public transport commute... However, if Uber didn't exist here, I don't think I'd be taking taxis because they are far more expensive.
Re: New Research on How Ride-Hailing Impacts Travel Behavior
#60I’m a big proponent of mass transit and when it’s available I use it if I can. But I can get Lyft door to door for just $1-2 more than a bus or train. If mass transit wants to keep with rideshare and livery they need to: expand routes, increase availability, update their equipment. When I was a kid I knew how to read a bus schedule and train map to plan my trip. Now, there is an entire generation of kids in school an…
Both services are subsidizing their rides significantly, so while I think transit does need to work on improvements it’s important to remember that the comparison is currently unfair and will change when investors start looking for profits.
Mass transit is already subsidized and yet they are unable to make it work. Only one is subsidizing to gain ridership. As I’ve told friends and family it’s still cheaper than owning a car. If that equation changes I’ll re-evaluate our habits.