News

Do You Even Lyft, Bro? Well, Now the Chippewa Valley Does

Tom Giffey |

Beginning today, you can use your smartphone to order up some wheels via the ride-sharing app Lyft. The San Francisco-based company announced that as of today it is offering service in more than 50 additional cities, including Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Janesville, La Crosse, and Sheboygan. According to the company’s blog:

In our largest launch to date, Lyft rolled out the welcome mat to 50+ new cities today. The move is part of this year’s massive expansion, which we kicked off with a 40-city launch just one month ago. Now, millions more people across the U.S. have access to reliable, affordable transportation. 

If you’re not in the know, Lyft (and a similar service, Uber), works through a smartphone app that allows users to connect with a nearby driver, who – much like a taxi – will pick them up and deliver them to their destination. The user can then pay instantly through the app, without worrying about cash.

For those pushing for Eau Claire’s continued evolution into a 21st century metropolis – or even for those dreading this transformation – the addition of Lyft is officially a Big Deal. The service is particularly popular with car-shunning urban dwellers who don’t want to (or perhaps can’t) depend on public transportation or their own feet to get around. Unsurprisingly, it’s particularly unpopular with traditional cab companies.

Counting the 50 cities announced today and a 40-city expansion in January, Lyft now serves more than 400 cities nationwide – and that’s not even counting Altoona. (Presumably, your Lyft driver will take you past the city limits if you’re trying to get to Woodman’s.)

To learn more about the company, find how to get a ride, or apply to be a driver, visit www.lyft.com.