Lyft Loves Country Music Fans

Last week thousands of country music fans poured into downtown Nashville to catch the annual CMA Music Festival. With a star-studded line-up and four days of free concerts and stadium performances by Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, and Pharrell, it's no wonder why this is the event of the year for country fans.

This year we were the official ridesharing partner for CMA Fest. We offered free rides to new passengers as well as teamed up with Chevrolet to give select winners free rides around town in some of their new 2016 Chevy Cruise vehicles!  

We had some pretty adorable Lyft cowgirls show up at our booth. We also gave away a bunch of tickets to Nissan Stadium concerts!

Country music duo Dan & Shay even gave some lucky folks a ride around town.

We can't wait to see what next year has in store for us! For even more fun from this event and so many others, follow us @LyftNashville on Twitter.

Father's Day In San Francisco

Father's Day is around the corner and nothing says 'thanks Dad!' more than some fresh air in the great outdoors. Check out our top picks on our favorite places to take dad this Sunday.

Muir Woods

Take a trip with dad to our friendly neighbors up north - and no, we're not talking about Canada! Marin Country is home to countless hiking trails, lush scenery, and great views. With so much to see in one day, Muir Woods is the one spot not to miss. Pack a lunch and get lost amongst the giant Redwood trees with dad.

Baker Beach

The most popular beach in San Francisco, Baker Beach is the place to catch some rays (or a frisbee!) on a warm sunny day. This mile-long stretch of sand is a hot spot for dogs and humans alike with plenty of accommodations for grilling, and swimming. Don't wander off too far, or you and dad might run into some sunbathers that dress a little, ahem, free.

Crissy Field

If you don't want to risk sand in your buns, Crissy Field is the place to be. Covered in fresh green grass and an iconic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field is the prime location for a Father's Day gathering. Be warned: grills are first come first serve, so get your picnic crew together early!

Wherever you decide to go, there's one place we know all dads want to be on Father's Day - with you. So what are you waiting for? Grab a Lyft, soak up some sun, and spend that extra QT with pops this Sunday.

For all things Lyft in San Francisco, follow our local twitter handle @Lyft_SF.

Kicking Off T-Mobile Tuesdays with Lyft

We're excited to announce that we've partnered with T-Mobile to give away some sweet Lyft credit and prizes. Don't know about T-Mobile Tuesdays? Every week in their app, T-Mobile gives away free stuff from brands their customers love. It's their way to say thanks for being a part of the T-Mobile Un-carrier revolution. 

This Tuesday's giveaway is just the beginning - keep your eye out for more from Lyft and T-Mobile all year long! Check out the T-Mobile Tuesdays site for more information. 

Political Rap Artist, Traveling Performer, and Lyft driver: Meet Khaled Ahmed

Khaled Ahmed is a Lyft driver, ambassador, and fervent community member, though he is better known throughout the country as Khaled M, recording political rap artist. Khaled spends a bunch of time touring, either to perform at shows or screen his documentary on hip hop as a form of witness. When he's back in Chicago with a bit of downtime, he drives with Lyft.

“It was never my intention to be a political rapper”

Khaled grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, but moved to Chicago to pursue his hip hop career. He explained that being a political rap artist was actually never his intention-he grew up listening to Tupac and Nas and rapping about girls-but as a U.S. born Libyan-American, he felt compelled to write a song when the protests in Libya turned into Civil War. His biggest hit “Can't Take Our Freedom,” got 50,000 plays on YouTube its first week. He credits the hip hop genre with allowing his voice to be heard on such a sensitive issue; “Hip hop is the ideal musical avenue to inform those who may normally not be in tune with an issue.” When asked if he feels proud about the work he's doing, he replies simply, “It's beautiful.”

“Lyft enabled me to make use of my downtime”

Living in Chicago but spending a lot of time on the road touring, Khaled was eager to find  something flexible. About two years ago, he signed up to drive with Lyft. “Lyft enabled me to make use of any downtime I had while in town and provided a fun outlet to supplement my earnings.” When asked what a normal day looks like for him, Khaled answered, “I'm still trying to get to the place where I have these.”

“Driving allows me to feel the pulse of the city”

Money and flexibility may have initially put Khaled in the driver's seat, but community has kept him there. He calls driving a “real-life version of 'Humans of Chicago,” where you have these incredible conversations with people you would never normally meet. “My passengers and I have sung, laughed, cried, debated, and shared remarkable tales together.” Driving is also an excuse to explore parts of the city he wouldn't normally visit. He loves exchanging recommendations on food and entertainment, so he can really get a feel for different neighborhoods.

“Life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey”

Khaled doesn't consider material goals or accomplishments when thinking about his future. He more so wants to take it all in, to continue to learn and grow and meet new people. “I hope that I am always perpetually in a state of self-growth, and that I am constantly improving the lives of those around me. I'm a true believer that life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey.”

Car Share Etiquette: Tips for Making the Most of Your Lyft Line Ride

When you share a ride with Lyft Line, you save a few bucks and hopefully share some laughs. And when you step out of your ride, you may even have a few new contacts in your phone.

With Lyft Line, your driver picks up fellow passengers along the way. That means sharing the car with others. Nervous much? Don't be. Here's some simple etiquette to help:

Make pick-up easy

If you're waiting for your Lyft Line in a crowd, consider walking down the block so your driver can spot you easily. Your fellow passengers will appreciate your courtesy.

Go easy with the icebreakers

Starting a friendly conversation can be a great way to break the ice with passengers, but remember to keep it light. Ask about their favorite things to do in the area or recommendations on fun weekend spots.

Clean up when you're done

Your Lyft driver has provided you with a clean, safe ride. If you had a snack or finished your water bottle, grab the trash on your way out of the car.

Text now, call later

Everyone in the car is enjoying light conversation. Don't spoil this moment by yelling to Grandma on the phone. Text a quick “I'LL CALL YOU LATER” and turn your attention to your lovely ridesharing companions.

Fuel for the road

A couple of snacks for the ride are always welcome - and the easier they are to share, the better. Avoid foods that people are commonly allergic to, like nuts.

Leave a review

Don't just tell your friends about your positive experience - tell the world. Leave an honest review about all of the great things that happened during your ride. If you're over the moon about your experience, consider leaving a tip.

Share your ride with people going the same way, and pay less, with Lyft Line. Sign up for a Lyft Line ride.

How Lyft Works: 6 Things to Know Before Your First Ride

If you've never tried ridesharing, there's no need to worry-using Lyft is much simpler than you may think.

So how does Lyft work, exactly? Here are answers to six FAQs:

What is ridesharing, anyway?

Ridesharing matches you with a nearby driver who will pick you up and take you where you want to go. Lyft is the app you use to get a ride in minutes. Just tap request and a driver's there. By taking Lyft, you can help your community reduce traffic and take cars off the road.

How long does it take to get a Lyft ride?

After just a few taps in the Lyft app, a carefully-screened driver will be on their way to you - just set your pickup point. You'll see a photo of your driver and the car, as well as their ETA. You can even watch as they approach on a map and call your driver if something changes, like if it starts to rain and you want to head down the block to take cover. Once the driver arrives, confirm your name and destination, get in, and you're off.

Do I have to sit up front, or can I chill in the back?

It's your ride, so set the tone depending on how you feel. If you want to hop in the backseat, put on your headphones, and not say a word, that's no big deal - there's no need to sit in the front seat and chat. But you can always ride shotgun and ask your Lyft driver for advice about the date you're about to go on, too!

How much does a Lyft ride cost?

Depends on where you're headed and when. There is a base charge and a cost per mile and per minute, with extra added on when your pickup point is in Prime Time, which happens during higher-than-normal demand to encourage drivers to get on the road. For price estimates of rides in your city, check out the Lyft city page. Oh, and never worry about carrying cash - payment happens seamlessly through the app.

Can I tip my driver?

Yes! The Lyft app lets you tip your driver when you pay at the end of the ride, but don't feel like you have to. If you don't want to or simply can't afford a tip, don't sweat it.

What's the rating system for drivers and passengers?

When your ride ends, you can rate your driver on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. You can also write a comment, which is shared anonymously with the driver.

If you're satisfied with your ride, there's no reason not to give your driver a 5-star rating. A 4-star rating or less means that you were somehow dissatisfied, so reserve those for if, say, a driver gets lost. You can explain your rating in the comments to help the driver improve.

Passengers can see a driver's overall star rating, so giving a driver a 1-star rating for no reason does impact the driver. And it's a two-way street. Drivers rate their passengers after every ride, so make sure you act with respect.

Ready to take your first ride? Download the Lyft app and hit the road today.

Uber Fare Estimate & Price Rates

Are you looking for a way to calculate your ride with an Uber fare estimate?

Uber is leading the pack for ridesharing services, and there are a few very good reasons for this.

Uber was the first on the scene in the ridesharing niche, and that has given the company a huge advantage.

There are resources to help Uber drivers and passengers get acquainted with the service.

The safety measures embedded in the service also contributes to its popularity and mounting success.

Uber has carved out a dominant slice of the ridesharing pie.

Below are a few resources passengers and drivers alike can take advantage of to get the most out of the leading rideshare service.

Uber has been taking the taxi cab companies by storm with their innovative take on technology and transportation.

Uber Service Options

Uber is considered one resource, but it comes in a few colors or versions.

There is the main service, which everything branches from.

The main service is a car and the standard rate.

There are four additional variations in particular that define the Uber experience.

UberX

UberX is a low-cost alternative to the classic Uber experience.

Passengers can expect a lower rate in exchange for their expected continual patronage.

There are no contracts involved, but UberX is encouraged as a service for repeat customers.

As for drivers, the vehicle must be new (the Terms of Service detail 2005 or newer, but it varies by city).

The service allows up to four passengers.

In some cities, UberX is the same as the classic default Uber service.

Specifically, the city does not have a designation separating the classic service from uberX.

UberSUV

UberSUV has all the standards and expectations of the other Uber variations, including the car's age.

The difference is, of course, the UberSUV service allows more passengers and includes more room in the SUV.

UberBLACK

UberBLACK is a business professional service.

Passengers can expect superior service and professionalism.

The service will provide a luxury vehicle, and drivers are held to a specific dress code.

UberPOP

UberPOP is the European version of UberX, and it carries the same features of its U.S. counterpart.

There are few other variations that are less used.

Uber is clearly dissecting their overall service to fulfill different needs, unlike other competing rideshare brands.

It is a worthwhile strategy that is perpetuating Uber's growth.

Customers are Getting an Uber Fare Estimate

Uber passengers are not left to guess the cost of their ride.

The Uber Fare Estimator is a popular resource for receiving an Uber Quote.

Users simply input their pick-up location and destination.

The Uber Rates will be provided based on the current data.

It looks at surges, which are times where high-demand increases the price.

There are surge tiers, usually from “times two” to “times four” that multiply the base rate.

A traditional ride will be about $1 per two miles.

Passengers can benefit from an Uber Estimate beforehand to determine the amount of a tip, if necessary.

They can also assess their weekly travel expenses while on vacation or assess the cost of using Uber for an extended period of time.

The best thing yet is that the prices have recently been cut.

Drivers are getting paid less per ride, but that is a blessing in disguise.

Passengers pay less.

Passengers request more rides.

Uber is growing fast, and they are knocking on the front doors of cities that previously denied them access.

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