By Charles Peckman
Ride-share service Uber will soon have some competition. In an announcement last week, Lyft said it will soon provide service in Iowa City.
The announcement listed 54 new locations, including Ames, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City, and Waterloo.
Lyft’s website says, “Wherever you’re headed in the Iowa City area, count on Lyft for rides in minutes. The Lyft app matches you with friendly local drivers at the tap of a button. Just request and go. After the ride, simply pay through your phone.”
In an email to The Daily Iowan, Mary Caroline Pruitt, a public-relations and communications correspondent for Lyft, said she is excited about Lyft’s expansion.
“Lyft is thrilled to provide the locals and visitors of Iowa City with a safe, affordable ride at the touch of a button,” she said.
Pruitt also noted that Thursday’s launch is the largest the company has seen.
“Lyft continues to differentiate and win people over through its brand and positive in-car experience,” Pruitt said. “Many drivers and passengers have voiced that they prefer Lyft because the overall ride experience is more welcoming and enjoyable.”
A spokesperson from Uber did not comment on Lyft coming to Iowa City but instead noted Uber’s continued service and support of the area.
“We look forward to continuing to provide local residents with safe and reliable transportation at the push of a button while bringing new flexible earning opportunities to our communities,” they added.
UI freshman Joe Geller said he is excited about the arrival of Lyft.
“If anything, it gives people more options,” he said.
Geller said that he has used ride-share service Uber in the past but has never used Lyft.
“The only thing that would make me change my mind and use Lyft is if there was a price difference,” he added.
Geller compared Lyft’s arrival with the arrival of food delivery service JoyRun.
“Like JoyRun, Lyft is giving UI students more options,” Geller said. “First there was Order Up, and JoyRun came along. Uber has been in Iowa City for a while, but Lyft will open up the market and give people more services to choose from.”
The launch date for Lyft in the Iowa City area has yet to be announced.
