Ridesourcing services need to be better in 2018

A means of transportation has become a necessity in the United States. Primarily because the majority of the population does not live within a comfortable walking distance of their daily activities. Forcing individuals to own a means of transportation, use public transportation, or use transportation services. As urban areas have become more congested, reliance on transportation services has also increased. The only transportation service available ten years ago were local taxicabs. Ridesourcing services, like Uber and Lyft, have become more prominent due to taxicab regulations, reliability, and convenience. Making them a highly sought after alternative.

Ridesourcing services provide a quick, convenient, and reliable service that utilizes technology and efficiencies to lower cost and improve the overall experience. Ridesourcing services have creatively found a way to compete in a heavily regulated industry, without regulation.  These services are efficient because they leverage smartphone technology already possessed by both drivers and riders. Ridesourcing providers maximize the use of existing technology, by forcing all interactions to take place within their mobile application. This minimizes language barrier issues and enables those with disabilities to also enjoy the service.

While known for its convenience, ridesourcing becomes inconvenient at busy airports and events. This is an area that needs improvement as their popularity grows. Ridesourcing providers use designated locations at airports and large events to prevent pickups and drop-offs from disrupting normal traffic. When several flights land concurrently or events conclude, a large number of people simultaneously request rides from the same location. Since riders match with drivers before they arrive, this creates a chaotic situation where numerous drivers and riders are trying to find each other in an already congested area.

Uber and Lyft should utilize a new method to resolve the issue caused by designated ridesourcing locations in dense areas. As riders request pickups from designated ridesourcing locations, the app should assign drivers to the location instead of specific riders. A physical queue of riders and drivers should be organized, with the next available rider and driver in the queue being paired using Quick Response (QR) codes. Logistically this mirrors the user experience of mobile boarding passes and electronic event tickets. This would eliminate the need of finding your specific driver or rider, and streamline the experience.