The Boston Business Journal reports Lyft and Massport have reached an agreement under which Lyft drivers who pass a state background check can be summoned to Logan. Uber is working on a similar agreement.
Fasten has done it all along, because their drivers are desperate and borderline dangerous. I've taken a lot of shitty ubers and lyfts, but have legitimately feared for my life and been unable to make myself understood to fasten drivers. ("left here" and "right at the fork" are basic English and should be expected buuut I guess not). Plus, Fasten is a Russian-owned company, so many people probably have an ethical objection to giving them cash.
is NOT basic English - it's outdated New England slang. Like those signs that used to say "Bear Left." Surprised nobody ever put us one that read "Moose Right."
If you've listed to Google Maps giving directions, even as early as this morning, you would have heard the voice say "Keep right at the fork". Even if someone said 'bear right at the fork', they'd have still heard 'right at the fork'.
I do use Fasten from the airport, but find their app to be far less reliable than the other two players in the market. Also, I don't think I've been in one Fasten who didn't also have the Lyft or Uber app.
This would be a big blow to Fasten's business, but drivers probably won't be affected too much (assuming there is no compensation differential, no clue).
I try to use Fasten as much as possible. Cheaper and I get to where i'm going. I've had worse experiences with Uber drivers overall, YMMV. They just dont exist as much when out of the Boston/Cambridge. In Waltham they could take 25 minutes to arrive and will possibly cancel on me.
Fasten from the airport is a life saver. No more arguing about credit cards and I save about $30 per trip.
Its great to see better access for rideshare at Logan Airpot. I have used Uber many times going and coming from the airport. With the current requirement for Livery drivers for pickup, my wait is usually 10-15 min for a pickup. This should shorten that wait time. I am flying to Orlando in February and this will help my trip.
Your daily reminder to use lyft (or any other alternatives, such as fasten) instead of Uber since Uber now tracks you all the time (rather than only while using the app... Pretty sketchy for a company with a history of privacy violations (see their "rides of glory" blog post.
on my android i can go into app settings, find uber and disable location services. You'll just have to manually type where you are when calling. much easier than uninstalling and reinstalling.
They got rid of "Location data while using" as an option in the latest version. It's now only "Off" or "Always On". This will work for a while but they'll probably force people to upgrade at some point.
You can still disable Uber's location tracking while not using the app by turning off "Background App Refresh". Most apps turn this on by default, so go to:
Settings ➤ General ➤ Background App Refresh
You can turn it off globally, or just allow specific apps to use it. Turning it off will also extend your battery life! From the Apple Developer site:
I just assume that anytime I've got location services turned on, somebody is tracking me. Google, to start with, and probably half the other apps. Usually keep it off unless I'm actively using it (maps, turn by turn, or uber). Plus better for battery life!
Is there any plan to have a rideshare queue or spot at the curb dedicated to rideshare? Things are chaotic enough; the more segregated and clearly marked the options are, the smoother things run.
Pro tip: Take the free Massport shuttle to the MBTA Blue Line Airport station, hail an Uber or Lyft from there. It works today and there's no airport surcharge.
Comments
what about Fasten?
We have more than two ride-sharing companies here.
Fasten has done it all along,
Fasten has done it all along, because their drivers are desperate and borderline dangerous. I've taken a lot of shitty ubers and lyfts, but have legitimately feared for my life and been unable to make myself understood to fasten drivers. ("left here" and "right at the fork" are basic English and should be expected buuut I guess not). Plus, Fasten is a Russian-owned company, so many people probably have an ethical objection to giving them cash.
Right at the fork
is NOT basic English - it's outdated New England slang. Like those signs that used to say "Bear Left." Surprised nobody ever put us one that read "Moose Right."
Tell that to Google Maps
If you've listed to Google Maps giving directions, even as early as this morning, you would have heard the voice say "Keep right at the fork". Even if someone said 'bear right at the fork', they'd have still heard 'right at the fork'.
Right at the fork
I'm not originally from New England, and "Right at the fork" sounds fine to me. How else would you say it?
Easy
Ey bang a right at tha fahk khed!
It's especially important
It's especially important when an intersection has a fork, as well as another street that would be a sharper turn.
I do use Fasten from the
I do use Fasten from the airport, but find their app to be far less reliable than the other two players in the market. Also, I don't think I've been in one Fasten who didn't also have the Lyft or Uber app.
This would be a big blow to Fasten's business, but drivers probably won't be affected too much (assuming there is no compensation differential, no clue).
I try to use Fasten as much
I try to use Fasten as much as possible. Cheaper and I get to where i'm going. I've had worse experiences with Uber drivers overall, YMMV. They just dont exist as much when out of the Boston/Cambridge. In Waltham they could take 25 minutes to arrive and will possibly cancel on me.
Fasten from the airport is a life saver. No more arguing about credit cards and I save about $30 per trip.
LYFT at Logan
Its great to see better access for rideshare at Logan Airpot. I have used Uber many times going and coming from the airport. With the current requirement for Livery drivers for pickup, my wait is usually 10-15 min for a pickup. This should shorten that wait time. I am flying to Orlando in February and this will help my trip.
Your daily reminder to use
Your daily reminder to use lyft (or any other alternatives, such as fasten) instead of Uber since Uber now tracks you all the time (rather than only while using the app... Pretty sketchy for a company with a history of privacy violations (see their "rides of glory" blog post.
Change Your Settings
➤ Change the "Location" option to "While Using the App"
➤ Turn off "Background App Refresh"
Is that only on the iPhone?
I can't find a similar settings/permissions page on Android (Nougat).
Uninstall
I install/uninstall the Uber app when I need to use the service. (Android) Inconvenient, but gives some peace of mind.
on my android i can go into
on my android i can go into app settings, find uber and disable location services. You'll just have to manually type where you are when calling. much easier than uninstalling and reinstalling.
Doesn't that
mess w/the service? I thought i read somewhere that turning off "track me everywhere" did something to the app.
Not possible anymore
They got rid of "Location data while using" as an option in the latest version. It's now only "Off" or "Always On". This will work for a while but they'll probably force people to upgrade at some point.
Disable Uber Tracking By Turning Off "Background App Refresh"
You can still disable Uber's location tracking while not using the app by turning off "Background App Refresh". Most apps turn this on by default, so go to:
Settings ➤ General ➤ Background App Refresh
You can turn it off globally, or just allow specific apps to use it. Turning it off will also extend your battery life!
From the Apple Developer site:
I just assume that anytime I
I just assume that anytime I've got location services turned on, somebody is tracking me. Google, to start with, and probably half the other apps. Usually keep it off unless I'm actively using it (maps, turn by turn, or uber). Plus better for battery life!
Yep
I always leave the location service turned off, unless I need it at that very moment.
I presume it's just random curbside?
Is there any plan to have a rideshare queue or spot at the curb dedicated to rideshare? Things are chaotic enough; the more segregated and clearly marked the options are, the smoother things run.
Pro tip: Take the free
Pro tip: Take the free Massport shuttle to the MBTA Blue Line Airport station, hail an Uber or Lyft from there. It works today and there's no airport surcharge.