Uber etc. in TV
 

I have never used Uber or Lyft - anywhere

Is it worth signing up for it in The Villages, or are there so few operators...?

I am reluctant to give them my credit card details if I'll not actually use them

Thank you

I use a reloadable VISA debit card for some purchases, such as automatic payments and some other purchases.

It can be hit or miss. Right now if I wanted a ride with Uber the closest car is five minutes away. Zooming out on their map there appears to be several cars in the area. I’m sure this changes throughout the day. We use Uber a lot when traveling but seldom use it locally except for rides home from the airport. They are surprisingly inexpensive from MCO to The Villages. Surprisingly expensive from The Villages to MCO.

I just checked and both have drivers ready within 15 minutes of my location. You can schedule rides in advance to save some costs. I do see that Lyft appears to have a “preferred driver” option supposedly to connect you with regular drivers. I would think that could limit your possibilities depending on how fast you want a ride? You can buy gift cards for both and Uber (for example) has a wallet option to fill ahead of time with cash (funds). I have both my work and personal credit card on my account and never had an issue with it but as with anything could be hacked I guess? The drivers do not have access to your credit card only their corporate has that. Please tip the drivers as I used to be one back in the day and it was hit and miss. I have used both for Orlando airport rides with no issues (you do rate the drivers).

What is surprisingly expensive and what is surprisingly inexpensive?

I would provide the information to set up your account to make it easier to get a ride in the future. The last thing you want to have to do when you need a ride is to finish creating an account.

I find Uber (and Lyft) very easy to use when we’re traveling. In most cities it is very affordable. Here in the Villages it is surprisingly expensive but it is still usable. I have seen similar costs in other areas with few drivers.

To the airport I’ve seen from $150-$280. From the airport I’ve seen from $65-$110. We’ve never paid more than $100 to get home from the airport.

Just looked. Right now to the airport is $169. From the airport $69. Those prices will change all day long.

Because of the way the App works, it's always going to be cheaper to get to TV from MCO, than getting there. That's how dynamic pricing works. Way more drivers/cars in MCO. Most Uber drivers won't take the TV to MCO route, because they could get sent anywhere from there, so they usually just drive back to TV, empty.

Back when I drove (non FL) the airport run was the best (money pot) because it was one rider one price and not a bunch of who knows what passengers and trying to get the same pay in time, etc. Uber did have a feature on the app that would get you back home on fares vs. driving empty.

I have both Uber and Lyft and have had them for years. I travel a lot and use them often but have only used them 3 times in TV. Once, my golf cart broke down so I called a Lyft. I also needed a ride from the emergency room after calling an ambulance to get there and used them to get from MCO back here. It was less than 75 for that ride. Though it’s like double that to get TO the airport. I was running late to catch a train from Orlando to Miami and used Lyft to take me from the off site parking lot to the station instead of waiting on the shuttle. I would feel trapped without it.

There are a lot of drivers in The Villages also you can use them for medical appointments that are paid by your medial insurance

Try Kim's Cab Kims Cab on time and reasonable

I’ve used UBER extensively throughout the U.S. and recently in Prague, Czech Republic. I’ve never had an issue with a driver, the cleanliness of a vehicle or any other problem. I consider their service to be fairly priced and their APP is very intuitive and simple to use.

Uber is the best
 

Hi, we have used Uber and Uber eats all over the world 🌍 🌎
Paris
Barcelona
Rome
CDMX
Cancún
US
It is very inexpensive all over the world, but the most expensive in the US.
We also used Lyft
We never had any complaints

I’ll guess supply and demand. Many Uber at MCO looking for customers. While local Uber may want to stay local, as getting a customer back to TV is difficult. May be basically a one way trip for them? Driving back empty.

Never heard of that. Could you provide more information. Thx

Airport runs are great for the drivers who want them and want to make money, but it seems too many Uber/Lyft drivers are looking for the easy way and staying close to home, picking up $20 rides all day. Can't see how that makes them money, unless they're great at manipulating the peak demand curve.

Good morning. My own experience is that I still use Lyft fairly often. Over time I've found Lyft to offer a little more professional experience and have never had a security or financial issue. For me it's nice knowing I have a go-to if wanted.

I use Lyft and Uber both all the time while I am traveling, and have for years. The service is excellent in my opinion. If you have a Chase credit card they give you a good deal on Lyft since Chase (JP Morgan) is financing them. Similarly, Uber has a relationship with American Express. Lyft is usually less expensive but not always. Since you are not liable for charges on consumer credit cards for fraudulent purchases there is little to worry about giving them your credit card. I would definitely recommend signing up for both - it is a safety issue if you ever get stranded.

Uber for emergencies
 

I first used Uber in San Francisco. When I returned to The Villages, I advised my friends to download the Uber app and sign up because they don't know when an emergency will occur and will need a service like Uber. I have preprogrammed my local ER to be one of the preferred destinations.

Uber
 

I link it to my PayPal.

Yes, we use them both occasionally here and elsewhere; for when we don't want to take our car out if bad weather is forecasted etc etc Never any problems. Our credit cards have been on file with them for years. (The driver does not have access to them; only the service). Sometimes here our driver is a Villager.

How much does it cost to reload card?

I drive so infrequently, and pay so much for car insurance, I'm wondering if using Lyft is smarter than owning a car.

Do Uber and Lyft charge the same price?

No, but they are usually close. I check both then go with the one that is a dollar or so cheaper. Once or twice I have seen a significant difference but I attributed that to a shortage of drivers for one service.

Sumter Transit 352-568-6683

As I recall they do not have insurance or if they do very little coverage.