Up until now, the seemingly stable rideshare market has been dominated by Uber and Lyft. Despite waves of protests all over the world, both companies seem to be unafflicted and continue on with their massive profits. They may need to keep an eye on the rear view mirror from now on as a popular social media giant aims to follow their lead.
FACEBOOK TO IMPLEMENT THEIR OWN VERSION OF RIDESHARE
Despite Facebook’s massive size and influence, they want to dip their fingers in the increasingly popular rideshare scene. It is far beyond simply making their own app, however. Facebook will be implementing their own version that will surely turn some heads. The idea is to add a feature to their events page entitled “going and driving” or “going and not driving”. For anyone attending said event and looking for a ride, they would simply contact anyone driving and request transport. The idea makes a fair bit of sense since friends and friends of friends often travel together. This would only help pair the people together in an easier fashion.
HOW THIS WILL EFFECT UBER
Since Facebook’s new proposition isn’t exactly a replica of the Uber app, some say that Uber will remain untouched for the most part. Sure, this idea is just in the rough stages for now, but who’s to say Facebook isn’t just feeling out the market? Perhaps this is a test run to monitor its popularity. Given their history, this idea will surely take off and without a doubt have a negative impact on the competetitors profits. For one, people are on social media all the time. By bringing the rideshare service to them, it saves them one extra step of going through another app. Also, this will be dealing with friends. A certain level of trust and favorability is already established. That is a large advantage over getting picked up by a stranger. Finally, there is the issue of money. Uber costs money while Facebook is seemingly free. That is unless your friend wants to charge you for gas money.
WHERE IS LYFT IN ALL OF THIS?
Lyft, the friendly, fist bumping, mustashe donning rideshare service should definitely be worried. Lyft is already millions of dollars behind Uber. This newest addition could be exactly what Lyft needs to step into high gear or see their demise. As of last December, Lyft has already been seeking over $1 billion in funding. Suffice to say they are struggling to tread water. It’s too bad, those mustaches are pretty cool.
