Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar Announce Rideshare Function

Making the rounds late this week are newsfeeds of Lyft, Sidecar, and Uber’s new rideshare ability. 

The new rideshare function will automatically scan the area for requested rides and group customers together. This new feature, if it works smoothly, has some speculating that it could have an impact on the bus industry — with riders able to pay less for a cab, but more for a bus, and with the added value of speed and direct drop-off and pickup.

Also, when combined with driverless cars, this new mode of transportation could revolutionize bus lines, taxi commuting, and black car service as well.

The three names for the new programs are UberPool, LyftLine, and Sidecar Shared Rides. 

This article from The Verge says that Lyft was able to begin this project after it acquired Rover, a San Francisco startup that forged the technology for grouping customers together for rides.

 — Tim Crowley, LCT senior editor