Heard horror stories about the ride share community in Austin, Texas? Stressing about how to get around during SXSW? Fear not! Even though Uber and Lyft may have left Austin months ago, a plethora of new ridesharing apps have popped up and provided Austinites with easy ways to transport themselves around the city. Here are our some of the best ways to get around Austin.
Ride Austin– If you love Uber, you’ll love Ride Austin. The interfaces of the two apps are nearly identical and both include a split feature. Riders also have the option to upgrade to an SUV or luxury car. On top of that, female drivers can specifically request a female driver. The best part about Ride Austin though is the fact that it’s a non-profit. Drivers earn higher wages and the rest of the profits benefit local Austin charities. Costs are already low also on Ride Austin, with the minimum fare being $4.
Fasten- The most affordable ridesharing option, Fasten is a favorite amongst university students. Fasten lets you track your fare in real-time so there are never any questions, and Fasten never surges; rather, they offer “boost” pricing, which says you’re willing to pay a few extra dollars (which Fasten guarantees goes to the driver) to entice drivers to pick you up.
Fare– Many Austinites love Fare for its consistency of price and actually picking people up. Fare also lets you create a list of “preferred drivers,” so you can request them again. Another difference with Fare is that it allows you to schedule rides in advance. Also, riders can share their personal referral code with new riders to earn free rides on their account.
GetMe– Although the first app to hit the market after Uber and Lyft left, GetMe is probably the least popular option for getting around Austin (maybe even behind cabs). The app is notorious for never actually getting you and for having the highest costs. Worth a try, but a cap is probably better. On the plus side, though, the app also offers delivery!
Hail A Cab– Another not-so-great option. This app has been around for awhile and typically results in riders waiting for a long time before a cab shows up, and sometimes it never does. If you prefer a cab, try the app Curb instead.
And if you wanna go rogue…- Some Uber and Lyft drivers have taken matters into their own hands and created a ridesharing Facebook page. Simply post where you want to go and when to see if anyone is willing to take you. Despite how sketchy it may seem, we know many people who have used this service and had a great experience.
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