Lyft to Launch in Toronto Next Month as Uber Competitor Expands to First City Outside of United States

[MacRumors]

Lyft today announced that it will launch its ride-hailing service in Toronto next month as its first market outside of the United States.

Riders in Canada's largest city--and nearby Hamilton, Ontario--will be able to hail Lyft or Lyft Plus vehicles that hold up to four or six passengers respectively, as well as fancier Lyft Premiere, Lyft Lux, or Lyft Lux SUV rides.

Lyft hasn't disclosed passenger rates, payouts to drivers, or any other specific details ahead of the December expansion.

Lyft's biggest competitors in Toronto will be Uber, which launched in the city over five years ago, and traditional Beck Taxi cabs. The city also operates the TTC subway system and a network of streetcars and buses.

Beck Taxi, which has already heavily protested Uber, naturally isn't happy about Lyft's arrival. "It's another reason to encourage cars to cruise the streets of our city -- many of them who come from outside it -- who otherwise wouldn't be there," said the company's operations manager Kristine Hubbard.

In an interview with the Toronto Star, Lyft president and co-founder John Zimmer said he expects Toronto will likely become one of the ride-sharing company's top five markets overall in North America.

We see it as a world-class city. It will likely become one of our top five markets overall. We expect that to happen, and we see it as a city that really shares the values that we have at Lyft -- focusing on people taking care of people, treating people well, treating people with mutual respect and promoting both inclusion and diversity.

Zimmer said 50,000 people in Toronto downloaded the Lyft app this year despite the service not being available in the city. He also subtly suggested that Lyft will be a fresh alternative to the scandal-clad Uber.

Lyft's app can already be downloaded from the App Store [Direct Link] in Canada for iPhone and Apple Watch.

Article Link: Lyft to Launch in Toronto Next Month as Uber Competitor Expands to First City Outside of United States

 

[jmh600cbr]

great. a welcomed addition. here's to hoping their 'pool' option comes soon as well

 

[ipedro]

I’m willing to give Uber a chance after their major executive reshuffling but I’m definitely becoming a Lyft member and welcome the competition. May the best service win.

 

[jimthing]

I use Uber on occasion (I don't use cabs often as I drive anyway, but use public transport which is usually quicker than traffic in London).

TBH, I think many (most?) drivers for these services are getting a raw deal. Yes they can supposedly pick and choose their hours of work, but that really appeals to a small fraction of drivers with other things going on in their lives. As the majority work full time hours (40-60 or more hours a week) anyway to make a living. So are they really "self employed" with no statutory sick pay/holiday/employment benefits?

The fashionable term "gig economy" is another term for "freelance". And previously the reason for being a freelancer was that you earned more doing it per job; not less or very near minimum wage levels.

Their fairs are also comparably low compared to, for example, black cabs, yet they still have the same costs as the black cabbies (servicing etc.), AND on top of that Uber's (or whoever's) cut, to boot.

Furthermore, Uber can cut them off from working at any time, and do other disruptive things to stop them getting work at Uber's complete arbitrary discretion, often without even notifying the driver as to what the issue or problem is/was.

It wouldn't be most of ours' job of choice, that's for sure.

 

[CedricT]

Did Apple buy Uber or Lyft? Why is this news on MR?

 

[MuseumVisitor]

Hope Teo really comes to Toronto. The best service ever, all visually recognized electrical cars! Love it.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Hope Teo really comes to Toronto. The best service ever, all visually recognized electrical cars! Love it.

Too much emphasis being put on Electrical Cars with autonomous driving systems for Ride hailing services. Economically Electrical cars are sound for ride hailing, but for automous ... it'll slow up busy, congested, rush hour traffic in any city (Toronto's King/Bay streets by work is a serious rat race of a dead end).

Lyft's biggest competitors in Toronto will be Uber, which launched in the city over five years ago, and traditional Beck Taxi cabs. The city also operates the TTC subway system and a network of streetcars and buses.

TTC has NOTHING to do with Ride Hailing services, not sure why it's even mentioned in the article at all?

Already downloaded the Lyft app last month and timing for Xmas holidays is perfect for Lyft.

a BIG win for Lyft would be:
a direct feedback and ability to call cx service for issues on drivers
maintaining mapping system! Lately my "home" address marked as Home as switched in my Uber App inside my home and also to drivers, even though when I hail a ride it still says "HOME".
Less needless rate fluctuations outside of rush hours for the same destinations - this is occuring far too often with Uber.
mapping and routes. Do NOT take customers onto a bumper to bumper packed highway for short distances - when major streets can easily get the passenger there MUCH faster and just as safe! Uber is HORRIBLE for this as I live by 2 HWYs.

 

[ErikGrim]

Let’s hope this is the start of a full global expansion. Uber sorely needs real competition where I live.