Hacker News Reader

Comment by physcab | Hacker News Reader

Whether you believe in Lyft or not, it's amazing that in just one year transportation in SF is a solved problem. And soon it will be in many other cities as well. I remember waiting on the phone for Yellow Cab to confirm my taxi and it would sometimes take hours. I would have to plan my night ahead. Now with Uber, Sidecar, Lyft, and Flywheel I can be out the door in 5 minutes.

View on HN

Get out of the echo chamber for a bit, SF did not "solve transportation". Some startups (of questionable legality) have allowed upper class people to more easily move themselves around. Frequently in luxury cars. It's neat if you're one of those people, but it didn't solve much of anything.

$200k in revenue a month for one of the consumer services alone (estimated Lyft rev on 120,000 rides/month) suggests they're solving a big problem/providing a lot of value for consumers...

You don't have to be so snarky. Of course I'm aware of issues outside of SF or even within SF for that matter. My point is that getting around in cabs has been made a lot easier. Sure, there are still problems with public transit and whatnot (I ride the bus everyday) but the increased attention on lowering costs via ride sharing is having a net positive effect.

Recent sold on one single medallion in NYC was over $1MM.

In government eyes moving people is a business of making money, not giving people convenience. Said that once the companies like Uber of Lyft grew enough to be impossible to ignore them, I am more than sure Gov will step in and limit them severely in what they can do, most likely through expensive certifications and fees. Then it won't be a difference between calling Uber or Yellow Cab.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com