Connecting Lyft or Uber with public transit could bring data risks
July 19, 2019 | In The Press
Uber, Lyft and transportation agencies across the U.S. are encouraging customers to combine ride-hailing with public transit, ultimately to try to streamline travel options and payment.
Why it matters: These partnerships could fill in gaps in public transportation without worsening congestion. But they could also expose public transit riders to data privacy risks, and upend transit’s business model.
What’s happening: Aside from displaying transit schedules in their apps, Uber and Lyft also give discounts to customers who hail rides to and from public transit hubs.
The impact: The convenience is a huge selling point, but there could be unforeseen consequences.
Between the lines:
What we’re watching: As partnerships between ride-hailing companies and public transit evolve, cities will need to create enforceable rules and regulations to make sure services remain accessible and affordable.
This story originally appeared in Axios.