Though Lyft and Uber are very similar in the transportation service they offer and pricing, why would one choose one over the other?
For Lyft, the finer points matter (preface, they are always exceptions)
* For new ride-share drivers, you are interviewed in person (if you previously worked for Uber, this might be waived). Uber does do not do in-person interviews. In person interviews weed out more so called bad apple drivers.
* Lyft chosen and trusted by Washington Council of Governments Sober Ride program during holidays through the year over Uber.
* Lyft chosen over Uber to provide transportation on Fort Meade. This is experimental and may spread to other military bases in the future.
* If in serious safety situation, you can call Lyft
https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013077888-Report-an-accident-safety-incident-or-citation . Uber you are left call or text 911 or the local county/city authorities. Used the Lyft help line only once over the years (driver had child in car) and they were very quick to respond.
* Personally know at least a few people in other parts of my life driving for Lyft, none for Uber. Lyft believe is more community minded vs. Uber more corporate minded.
* Lyft more diverse set of drivers, including some white, and more so who are fluent in English. If driver cannot read text message about your pick up point such as if there is confusion about building entrances, etc., then its not a good ride experience from the start. Certainly not saying not all Uber drivers are bad, which had some who were very good, but it seems Lyft has more of the good ones.
* Experience with occasional trips with handicap relatives with me Lyft handles it much better. Lyft driver helps gets foldable chair into trunk of car which is tight squeeze with his electric battery unit. Uber driver refuses ride to handicap rider even though chair is foldable, and another could not get the pick up point right for a building even after a text message after request ride and talking on phone (English somewhat limited) requiring me to take an elderly relative on a cane up an elevator to another entrance (and then Uber charged a wait fee which got reversed).
* Lyft much better for their customer service and giving ride credits (of course with justifiable reason). Uber has been hit or miss over the years, saying if the driver gets off track or lost, its your additional expense (once it was a days long fight, with them only reversing part of the overcharge). Lyft actually reads your emails about questions, etc. and offers a personal response whereas past experience with Uber, often just get a canned response that not answer my question.
* Lyft uses your cell phone carrier's text messaging app which is easier to read whereas Uber uses their internal one which messages more than a few lines about pick up flies by and they are unable to read fully. Uber tracking you up to five minutes after the ride and sometimes recording your calls with the driver before pickup is concerning.
I have used both services over the years. Lyft as primary, keeping Uber as backup as occasionally Lyft car not nearby or on major price surge, but otherwise maybe use Uber if offering a weekly discount of 30-40%.