Uber/lyft
 

Drivers who work for Uber/Lyft have an app that tells them when someone wants a ride
Riders have an app that allows them to request a ride
When a rider requests a ride, the software determines the price based on distance and driver availability
The rider chooses chooses a car type and requests a ride
The software advertises the requested ride to the drivers who choose whether to accept it
When a driver accepts, he begins driving to the pickup point
The software informs the rider that a driver is coming, how far away he is, and what car he will be in
The driver arrives, the rider gets in, and the driver drives to the destination

There are Uber/Lyft drivers in the area. However, there are not many which means the price is higher for the same distance than it would be other places like Tampa or Orlando.

If you have a destination in mind I can tell you what the price would be at the moment from Brownwood.

You forgot to mention 2 very important things.

- once you download the app, they will want your credit card information before you can get a ride.

- there is a reasonable probability that your credit card information will be stolen and you will experience unusual charges you never authorized.

Yes, you have to pay for using the service.

No, there is NOT a reasonable probability that your credit card information will be stolen. That would be terrible for their business and would likely put them out of business. I don’t know how many years I have had an account with both and my wife with one without ever having a problem. Absolute it could happen, just as it could happen with any online service (Amazon, Home Depot, Netflix, The Villages Box Office) but it is my experience that it is not common.

I beg to differ. My wife used Uber a grand total of one time, to get a ride to Mass General in Boston to visit a friend post op. Her card information was stolen and unusual charges immediately began to show up. Fortunately, the credit card company flagged the unusual activity and contacted her, denied the charges, and canceled her card. Based on our experience, there is a 100% probability of a bad outcome.

Good thing she used that card only for an Uber ride, otherwise there would be a question of which business misused her information. I wasn’t so fortunate the two times my number was compromised; I wasn’t able to find out if it was a vendor or a data breach. One thing I do know: they both happened prior to my Uber and Lyft accounts.

As others have noted, UBER is more expensive here than elsewhere. For example, if I took an UBER right now (Monday 9 PM) from my house to the airport, the ride would be 20 minutes away and would cost $103 plus tip. In another example if I took an UBER right now from my house (near Eastport) to Brownwood it would cost $49 plus tip. At peak times it would be more. It is quite pricey compared to everywhere else I have lived or travelled.

I have both apps and they had a ride available just now within a 20 minute time frame. You can also schedule rides in advance. I would advocate having both apps as Lyft just wanted $160 for the same ride to the airport (MCO) that Uber wanted $43 which is contrary to post #7 but sometimes it works like that. It all depends on where you live, etc. Some offer first time rider discounts. I do not believe you now need a credit card to setup an account as you can use Uber gift cards available at Publix for example. I have been both a rider and driver and never had an issue with a credit card being compromised nor heard of others having an issue as it all resides with the Uber app not the driver.

I've probably taken twenty Ubers in the past five years. They were mostly in Albuquerque, NM, and Columbus, OH. I have never had my card compromised. A couple of things to remember, when you get notification your driver is approaching, their picture and license plate number will show up. That is an easy way to identify your driver and especially useful if you're being picked up at an airport. You can't just grab any Uber like a taxi. You're paying for the Uber that accept your ride request. You will be charged for that. If you are a "No show," after agreeing to the Uber, there will be a charge. Also, it is a completely app-based program. If you aren't comfortable using apps, it is probably not for you.

I’ve been using both uber and Lyft for about 25 years now. What’s that old saying. Best thing since sliced bread. BTW. I used to wait tables and there was a server there, big named restaurant in Orlando, the server would use a persons credit card to pay for cash customers, so basically she double charged customers by using the credit card they just paid with. You’re much safer using your cc on file with uber/lyft.

One thing to consider. Uber/Lyft, usually have the same drivers and they’re listed with both companies. Lyft is usually cheaper than Uber and my go to but I do use uber too. I use them all the time and have for years. Just download the apps, put in your information and it’s very easy to use. My golf cart broke down one day in the new area over by Eastport and I just called a Lyft, he was there in about 7 minutes. Nice man who lives here in TV. Also, when you take them TO the airport, it’s expensive but once I had to use them FROM the airport to get here and it was only $60 not including tip. I don’t ever consider a cab unless I’m in a country without uber but even then, I use whatever the local “uber” for that country is. In my entire lifetime, only once have I ever had a card compromised and it was about 30 years ago, my ATM card was compromised from using it at a 7-11 ATM to pull out cash.

Your Villages Uber driver neighbor!
 

I'm a resident Uber driver here in the Villages. you may call me at 407-808-6328 with any questions at all!...I'm also happy to meet with you anywhere you choose and get you up and running with the app!...

I have used both Uber and Lyft for many years in many major cities - Houston, DC, Tampa, Cincinnati, Columbus, Orlando, Atlanta, and more, and have never had any credit card issues. The drivers do NOT have access to the credit card info. Neither Uber or Lyft has had a breach of credit card data which is in contrast to T-Mobile, ATT, etc. Credit card information is as safe as any online service.

Uber Experience
 

I’ve used Uber for many years in major cities in the US, Canada, Korea and several in Europe. The Uber app is great and I’ve never had a problem. Tried once off hours in TV and there were no drivers available.

I have used both Lyft and Uber hundreds of times all over the world, and never had my credit card information compromised as a result. The only times my husband or I had our credit card information compromised was after traveling. Once to NYC and a visit to a late night comedy club. So perhaps that's the correlation the the person who posted above is seeing ... a trip, some Uber or Lyft rides, and stolen credit card information. But Uber and Lyft are not the culprit. The Uber and Lyft drivers never see the credit card. That's actually the VALUE of Lyft and Uber ... all the money (including the tip) changes hands in the app, securely.