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Lyft Now Shows Public Transit in Its App, Even If It's Faster and Cheaper

Sept. 20, 2018
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2 min read
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Lyft Now Shows Public Transit in Its App, Even If It's Faster and Cheaper
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Ridesharing is quickly becoming a part of our daily lives — and that's exactly the way Uber and Lyft want it to be.

On Wednesday, Lyft added the ability to see public transit in its app as it becomes more synonymous with mass transit.

The program, dubbed "Nearby Transit," will begin to show public transit options to Lyft passengers in Santa Monica, California. Powered by transit information platform Trafi, the Lyft app will display routes and schedules for the Big Blue Bus, LA Metro and Metrolink. Lyft says it has plans to expand the program to other cities.

Last week, the company launched Lyft Scooters in Santa Monica, adding just one more option for customers to get around. Ridesharing companies are trying to diversify outside of cars and offer more choices to customers, including dockless scooters and e-bikes.

In some cases, taking the bus or subway will be faster (and likely cheaper) than ordering a car, and Lyft's app will show you that. While it may seem that Lyft is displaying options for what's essentially its competition, the company hopes riders will use Lyft for the "first or last mile" of their trip when connecting to public transit.

"According to our Economic Impact Report, 21% of Lyft passengers already use public transit more frequently because they can rely on Lyft to get them the first or last mile when their starting point or destination isn’t directly along a transit route," Lyft wrote in a blog post. "We consistently strive to increase that percentage."

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In April, Uber said it would integrate public transit options into its app and even wants users to be able to purchase tickets for government-funded transport. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has stated that he wants the rideshare giant to "run the bus systems for a city," and some towns have even started subsidizing Uber rides as replacement for public transit.

Featured image by ANGELLA WEISS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.