In this study, we present exploratory evidence of how “ridesourcing” services (app-based, on-demand ride services like Uber and Lyft) are used in San Francisco. We explore who uses ridesourcing and for what reasons, how the ridesourcing market compares to that of traditional taxis, and how ridesourcing impacts the use of public transit and overall vehicle travel. In spring 2014, 380 completed intercept surveys were collected from three ridesourcing “hot spots” in San Francisco. We compare survey results with matched-pair taxi trip data and results of a previous taxi user survey. We also compare travel times for ridesourcing and taxis with those for public transit.

Key findings



Despite offering similar services, taxis and ridesourcing differ in user wait times, served trips, and other characteristics



Ridesourcing trips do replace some taxi trips, but they also replace trips that would otherwise be served by other modes such as personal vehicle or transit.



Ridesourcing meets a travel demand need that was not yet served.



View



View PDF



Behind a hard paywall (paid accounts only)



Behind a soft paywall (limited views allowed until a paid account is required)