NEW ORLEANS – It’s a multi-billion dollar business now operating in New Orleans. Today, Lyft becomes the second ride-hailing service in the Crescent City.
Lyft is a privately held company based in San Francisco, and its mobile-phone application facilitates peer-to-peer ridesharing by connecting passengers who need a ride with drivers who have a car. Operating in more than 200 U.S. cities, Lyft added New Orleans to their list today at 12:00 p.m.
Uber has been driving fares around New Orleans since last year.
According to The Advocate’s Jeff Adelson, Lyft got approval from the city to operate earlier this week, receiving the permits required by an ordinance that legalizes ride-hailing services that was passed last spring.
Adelson reports Lyft will operate throughout the metro area.
There is still some legal contention whether Uber and Lyft can operate in the suburbs.
In January, Lyft announced a partnership with General Motors, who invested $500 million as part of a $1 billion fundraising effort. The partnership is designed to help both companies accelerate in the ride-sharing market, as well as the autonomous car arena.
Adelson reports Lyft has about 315,000 drivers nationwide and seeks to distinguish itself from Uber by highlighting what company officials say are policies that benefit drivers more than those of other ride-hailing services and promoting a sense of community among its users.
