With the many transportation services available on campus, it’s often easy to feel overwhelmed with which options to take when public transportation is moving a bit slower than you have time for, or the walk is a bit longer than you had hoped for. Luckily, Ann Arbor has a variety of transportation options whenever and wherever you might need it. Among the more popular services are Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxi services (Amazing Blue Taxi being the most prominent).
Uber has three different services: UberX, UberXL, and UberBlack. Their base fares range from $1.30 all the way to $7, with per-mile and per-minute costs ranging from $.18 to $1.30 to $.35 to $3, respectively. In other words, UberXL and UberBlack are substantially more costly unless it’s a special occasion. For most normal uses, UberX serves as transportation and offers the most affordable rates. One key thing to look out for with Uber is their “surge pricing”. They will drive up the price by as much as 5.7 times the normal cost (yes, this HAS happened to me!), and they will absolutely ramp up the pricing for their services during high demand times. Recommendations? Look for a Lyft or a taxi. Also, note that the total price is base fare + per mile cost + per minute cost. They will estimate your fare before booking, which is usually pretty accurate and can come in handy. This would equate to about $5 or so for a two-mile trip. You also have the ability to split the fare with other Uber users, making it incredibly easy to split a cab ride with others, no cash or IOU-messiness.
Lyft is another great service. Their business model is based more on friendly drivers, whereas Uber strives for a more professional atmosphere. A major advantage is that all Lyft drivers have a pink mustache on the grill of the car, making it easy to identify which vehicle is your Lyft. One disadvantage is that they don’t email you receipts after a ride, so you are left without a record, other than your bank or credit card statement charge. They also have a tipping feature for drivers. Just like Uber, Lyft also has surge pricing (which is less than Uber’s). Unlike Uber, Lyft does not charge by the minute, but only based on distance traveled.
Amazing Blue Taxi offers you traditional taxi service. There’s a $3 base fee, and a $2.50 price per mile. This equates to $8 for a two-mile trip plus tip.
Both Uber and Lyft are connected to your debit card or bank account, so paying for rides is quick and easy. For taxis, you have to pay the old-fashioned way but may end up saving money depending on the pricing at that particular time.
For your general safety, preferably ride with a friend or two if you are requesting a nighttime ride, and always be cautious when inside the car. Usually, drivers will have ratings from previous rides so make sure he or she is highly rated before they pick you up. If you feel unsafe, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1 or report the driver to the company. We hope these few tips provide you with a little bit of background for the next time you need transportation! Happy riding!
Contributed by Jose Alvarez