When a car zips down the street with a huge pink fuzzy mustache attached to the front, who wouldn’t want to claim it as their ride?
The easily distinguishable mustache and a routine driver-rider fistbump are the playful foundations of Lyft, a ridesharing app launched last June by Zimride that strives to be “your friend with a car.” The free app, which just expanded from San Francisco to LA a few weeks ago, allows users to request a ride from anywhere in the city.
But Lyft is no Uber (if the mustache didn’t already make that apparent): riders sit up front, charge their phones, listen to music and “have a good conversation from point A to point B,” Lyft Communications Manager Erin Simpson said.
“Lyft definitely attracts a certain type of person who likes to meet new people and explore their city,” Simpson said. “Whether it’s part of a night out or a meeting, it becomes something that adds to your experience.”
Lyft driver Erin Thayer, an LA native, said the sense of community Lyft brings is much-needed in LA.
“I can’t tell you how many times I walk down the street and just smile at somebody and they kind of avert their eyes and it’s kind of awkward,” Thayer said. “With Lyft, it’s great to establish a relationship with someone who you don’t necessarily know at all. It’s a quick interaction, but it’s really neat to see little slices of people’s days.”
Thayer is one of the about 100 pre-screened drivers already on board in LA, a number which Simpson said will increase until Lyft reaches its goal of providing a ride to anyone in LA within five to seven minutes of their app request.
The app also serves as Lyft’s simple payment system: users download the app for free, but must input their credit card information – both to ensure real identities are used and to charge the card with a recommended donation after the ride.
Lyft drivers are paid, but Thayer, an aspiring actress who also has another part-time job, said she does not view her time spent driving as working, but views it as “free time” in which she gets a chance to interact with people she normally would not.
Sometimes, a ride in a Lyft has even led to more than a one-time interaction, Simpson said, as exemplified by relationships formed between San Francisco drivers and users.
“People have gone to Thanksgiving dinner together because they met in a Lyft,” Simpson said. “And because music is such a great conversation starter, we’ve had people who’ve actually started a band. We definitely have a lot of artists, photographers, musicians and people who are excited to connect. It’s been cool to see these social interactions that are happening organically.”
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