5 Awesome Ride-Sharing Apps (That Aren’t Uber or Lyft)
With so many ride-sharing apps to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out which ones are actually worth trying and which ones you should just skip. As Uber and Lyft continue to roll out impressive updates (have you seen the brand new Uber Family Profile?!) and grow their loyal fan bases, the following five apps are making their way into the picture and becoming serious contenders.
1. Gett: Israel-based Gett is an up-and-coming app with a big promise: “We Never Surge. $10 rides in Manhattan anywhere below 110th.” Yup, no matter the demand, traffic or weather, you’ll pay a flat fee. Getting to the airport has also never been easier: Just $35 to LGA and $58 to JFK. How is this possible? By paying drivers a minutely wage instead of a percentage of your fare, they’re able to offer users biiiig savings. Gett is currently testing the waters in New York City, the UK, Israel and Russia.
2. Bridj: Founded by Chicago and Washington, D.C. transportation department head Gabe Klein, Bridj offers a really unique take on ride sharing. Based in Boston, this app prides itself on being “the world’s first pop-up mass transit system.” What that means is that rather than relying on cars, Bridj uses 14-seat luxury shuttles to help passengers get around in style. We’re talking leather seats and Wi-Fi. With an average pickup time of less than 10 minutes and rates starting at $2, you can’t pass on this one if you live in Boston, D.C. or Kansas City.
3. Via: Currently available in New York City and Chicago, Via offers an unbeatable flat fare: $5 plus tax when you prepay. There is one small catch, though. Unlike most other ride-sharing apps, Via’s routes are static, which means you’ll possibly be picked up and dropped off a block or two from your final destination. That said, it’s still worth trying, especially if you’re riding with friends. Everyone else in your party will always pay half price!
4. Curb: Currently available in 60 cities across the U.S., Curb works with 90 cab companies and 35,000 cars to get you wherever you need to go safely and conveniently. What sets this app apart from the pack is that you can schedule pickups ahead of time, which means no more keeping your fingers crossed and hoping for the best during peak hours. You can pay within the app or with cash and not have to worry about surge pricing either.
5. City CarShare by Carma: Founded in Kinsale, Ireland in 2007, Carma differentiates itself from the four other apps on this list because of its mission. Rather than putting a focus on profit, City CarShare is striving to reduce carbon emissions. Users are only charged for gas and maintenance (not for service) and everyone involved wants to help the planet. If you’re all about living more green in 2016, you’ll want to give this app a try.
DL It: Free on iOS and Android
What’s your go-to ride-sharing app? Tweet us at @BritandCo.