Lyft Standard is better for users prioritizing wide availability, comprehensive safety features, and individual rides, while Via Share is more suitable for those seeking cost-effective, shared rides with optimized routing in specific service areas.
| Attribute | Lyft Standard | Via Share |
|---|---|---|
| Price per mile | Varies by location, e.g., $1.28 in Mobile Area, $1.88 in Seattle, $1.62 in Chicago. Average around $0.90 per mile. | Pricing varies by location. In Jersey City, it's $2 for rides between outer and central zones and $2 + $0.50 per mile within the outer zone. In St. Louis County, the fare is $2 per ride. West Sacramento has a flat fare of $3.50 per ride, or $1.75 for seniors and people with disabilities. In 2015, Via charged $5 plus tax to travel across town. |
| Base fare | Depends on the city, e.g., $0.99 in Mobile Area, $2.95 for Extra Comfort in Chicago. Average initial cost is $0.90. | West Sacramento has a base fare of $3.50 per ride, with discounts for seniors and those with disabilities. |
| Cancellation fee | Varies by city. Charged if you cancel more than 30 seconds after driver accepts, after driver arrives, or cancel 3+ rides in 15 minutes. | Not available |
| Availability during peak hours | Affected during morning (7-9 AM) and evening (5-7 PM) rush hours due to increased demand. | In West Sacramento, Via operates Monday-Friday from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm, and Sunday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. In St. Louis County, Via operates in North St. Louis County from 5 am to 1 am, and in West and South St. Louis County from 5 am to 10 pm. |
| Average wait time | Longer during peak hours due to higher demand. | In West Sacramento, Via vans should arrive within 10-15 minutes on average, but riders typically don't wait longer than 30 minutes. |
| Vehicle cleanliness | Vehicles must meet safety and comfort standards. Vehicle inspections are conducted. | Cleanliness standards are a key expectation for shared vehicles. Via's community guidelines ask riders to help keep vehicles clean and avoid eating or drinking (except water) in the vehicle. |
| Driver rating | Two-way rating system (1-5 stars) for drivers and passengers. | Not available |
| Route efficiency | Lyft monitors rides for unusual activity or route deviations. | Via uses advanced route optimization and real-time dispatch management. Their software dynamically adjusts routes using live traffic data. Via's routing engine balances productivity and on-time performance by aggregating trips smartly and incorporating historic road speed and service data. |
| Ride sharing options | Standard rides for up to 4 riders. Other options like Lyft XL may be available. | Via is a shared ride service where passengers share rides with others. Via's algorithm matches users with other nearby travelers. In some locations, riders may share a ride with up to four other people. |
| Geographic coverage area | Operates in over 640 metropolitan cities. | Via operates in numerous cities worldwide. In West Sacramento, Via offers citywide on-demand ridesharing. In Jersey City, Via provides on-demand rides almost anywhere in the city. In St. Louis, Via Metro STL operates in parts of West, South, and North St. Louis County. |
| App usability | Allows booking rides, entering destinations, choosing ride types, and tracking driver in real-time. | Via provides a free app for booking rides. The app allows customers to enter pick-up and drop-off locations. The Via app has a user-friendly interface. |
| Safety measures | Driver background checks, real-time ride monitoring, in-app safety tools (location sharing, audio recording), and 24/7 support from a specialized safety team. | Via has implemented measures to ensure its services are secure, including data protection protocols and encryption. Via prohibits weapons in vehicles. Vehicles may be equipped with video recording devices. |