A new tier of service for Lyft launched today, allowing customers traveling in the same direction to share a ride. The new product follows a similar release earlier this week by Uber.
The ever popular, pink-mustache-touting, app-based, peer-to-peer taxi business Lyft delved into a new realm today, by offering a carpooling service for its customers. According to a report by Jeff Bercovici of Forbes, Lyft customers are incentivized to use this service as they, "can save up to 60% versus what they’d pay for an individual ride. To make the carpool experience less annoying, they’re required to be prepared to depart within one minute of the car’s arrival."
Indeed, drivers, who receive compensation based on mileage and time spent driving, may perceive Lyft Line as "a less attractive deal. But [Lyft CEO Leo] Green says combined trips will usually end up being longer, resulting in higher fares and less downtime."
On Monday though, Uber announced plans for UberPool, a similar carpooling product to launch in limited beta in San Francisco on August 15th.
FULL STORY: Lyft Adds A Carpooling Option To Compete With Mass Transit (And Uber)

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie