The Vegas Voice 12-20

Lyft or Uber - Part II
By: Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker /
Out & About
Last month, I wrote about the transportation
convenience offered by either Lyft or Uber.
But there’s really much more to this story,
than vacation planning.
Although it was our first experience with
these competitive car services, Lyft and Uber
are already well known in the USA and even
around the world. In fact, both of them
have acquired international reputations for
providing a dependable private taxi service for
individuals and families alike.
And of special interest to us, both are
beginning to gain acceptance by seniors.
Whether a person’s automobile needs are occasional or every
day, countless adults are finding these companies have given them
flexibility which can solve the “I wish I had another car” blues. For
many people, these on-call drivers, who provide their own vehicles, just
might eliminate the expense and upkeep of owning an extra car.
And the importance of having a personal car and driver available on
your schedule might be a real game changer. After all, at one time
or another, haven’t we all wondered how we were going to get to the
doctor’s office? Or how we’d get that friend picked up at the airport?
Conceptually this is all pretty simple, especially if you are a computer
guru. But don’t be surprised that you will need a smart phone to take
advantage of these car services.
Actually, your first requirement will be to open an online website
on your smart phone, which will be the ongoing centerpiece of your
account. Your car selection, pick up address
and destination, approximate cost, number
of passengers traveling, and scheduled
departure time will all be required to place
your reservation.
And you may be asked to type in this
information. Online operators might help
you, but don’t be surprised if they expect you
to be familiar with their requirements.
While I was visiting my daughter, I watched
her easily handle the car ordering process in a
couple of minutes. She was completely at ease, but I was so intimidated
I became a “thumb’s Mendelssohn” and didn’t even want to try to open
an account.
But I recently noticed a series of ads for newly designed smart phones
which feature “Alexa” type assistance for seniors and includes hiring
rental cars and drivers. Does this really work? Stay tuned!
Crystal Merryman-Sarbacker is a travel agent and the owner of
Vegas Vacationers Inc. She can be reached at:
Merryman2@aol.com
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December 2020