There was a time when, if you wanted a ride, your only options were hailing a taxi or getting a friend to pick you up. But thanks to the rise of ride-hailing apps, those days are long gone. Nowadays, people can hail a private driver at the tap of an app on their smartphone.
From Uber and Lyft to Sidecar and Grab, a variety of these apps are popping up all over the world. But what’s driving their success and growing popularity? Traveling has never been more convenient in the 21st century. That’s right, ride-hailing apps have made it possible to hail a quick cab from the comfort of your home or office.
That’s also why creating a better ride-hailing app is of crucial importance to these companies. Their primary goal is to make people’s lives easier. And that’s what the public wants right now—convenience and ease of use. Here are some reasons why these apps are becoming so popular today:
Reason #1 Cheaper Fares
For one thing, these apps allow users to hail a private driver much cheaper than the traditional taxi. There’s no need for cash because transactions are usually processed through credit cards or digital payment methods. Plus, there are no awkward misunderstandings with taxi drivers as many ride-hailing apps provide all of their users with a rating system.
This makes it possible for drivers to receive a fair salary and still earn a decent wage without having to deal with the obnoxious behavior of some taxi riders. That’s because ride-hailing apps often require their users to enter specific destinations before hailing a driver, which means that no one will ever expect you to tip or pay a standard fee.
Most of these apps automatically add a service fee or tip on top of the user’s fare. In addition to that, some ride-hailing apps will send you a bill at the end of your trip for additional services such as tolls and wait time.
Reason #2 Safety and Security
One of the biggest reasons ride-hailing apps are becoming so popular is because they allow their users to find drivers with the proper insurance coverage. This means that you will never have to deal with unlicensed and uninsured taxi drivers.
This is why so many people are switching from traditional taxis to ride-hailing apps as their main way of getting around. The idea that you can get a licensed and insured driver for the same price as an unlicensed and uninsured one is too good to pass up.
Plus, if the passenger ever gets into an accident en route, they can submit their injury claim with the ride-hailing company. That’s typically how an Uber car accident attorney will determine the liability and determine who is at fault for the accident.
Reason #3 No Confusion
Another great thing about these apps is that they eliminate any possibility of confusion when it comes to taxi fares. Unlike traditional taxis, ride-hailing apps have a map showing where the passenger is and where the driver is located.
That makes it possible for the user to get an estimate of exactly how much their trip will cost before they ever get in. Not only does this eliminate confusion, but it can also give drivers motivation to offer the best service possible.
That’s because they want to rack up as many five-star ratings as possible and will go above and beyond their duties to make sure that happens. And since most of these apps charge a minimal fee for each additional trip, it makes sense for them to provide top-notch service.
Reason #4 Avoid Scams
Of course, the biggest reason why ride-hailing apps are becoming so popular is that they provide their users with a quick and easy way to avoid scams. Unlike traditional taxis, you can get an estimate upfront for exactly how much your fare will cost.
That means there’s no need for any unwanted surprises at the end of your trip. This is especially important to solo women hailing a cab on their own since it makes them feel safe and keeps the driver accountable for any expected or unexpected fees.
Plus, that also means that all the money transfers are done online, which means that they are completely traceable by the ride-hailing company and local authorities. This makes it possible to track down any drivers who have tried to scam riders out of too much money, which is great for protecting the users.
Those are just some main reasons why these apps are becoming so popular. As you can see, they have a lot to offer, but there’s still more to come. It would be exciting to see what the future has in store for this new way of commuting!