Uber, Lyft worsen city traffic, studies show: report
Despite promises of reducing traffic congestion, ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft are doing the opposite as their apps pluck passengers off public transportation and put pedestrians in cars, the Associated Press reported.
According to an AP review of research, studies show the ride-hailing apps are directly competing with mass transit and the increased number of taxis and Uber and Lyft cars on the road contribute to slower traffic. A New York-based study cited "vacant vehicles occupied only by drivers waiting for their next trip request," as a contributing factor for high-volume traffic in Manhattan's central business district, the AP reported.
(Score: 2) by insanumingenium on Tuesday February 27 2018, @09:55PM (3 children)
Nothing so malevolent. Cheaper and more available private transportation options lead to people using those services. Where I might have walked home from the bar, I Uber. the conclusion is common sense, people aren't using Uber (primarily) to take the place of their privately owned car, the taxi is about the only equivalent that Uber replaces one for one. Uber's presence is obviously going to add to current traffic levels.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Wednesday February 28 2018, @01:54AM (1 child)
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by insanumingenium on Wednesday February 28 2018, @04:36PM
Using taxis in place of private car ownership is a relatively uncommon scenario. In the US, I only know of it being a thing in NYC. Sure, take an Uber instead of a taxi, no net difference on road usage. Most people either don't have a car, in which case Uber being so affordable and available make it a very attractive, or they use their own car for a majority of trips. The majority of scenarios I have seen using Uber are "new" traffic. Where you might have walked, or biked, or bussed, or carpooled, you will now Uber. All that is new traffic. It shouldn't be surprising that making car trips cheaper and more available leads to an increase in usage.
(Score: 2) by Entropy on Wednesday February 28 2018, @02:33AM
Really depends on where you live. Where I live--I assure you there is no walking home from the bar. It would either land you in the bad part of town, or be impractical due to distance. Uber is absolutely a substitute for private transport(which could lead to a dui) or a taxi. Bars used to call people Taxi's, now people call their own Uber's.