• Uber and Lyft stickers are shown on a driver's windshield at the ride-hailing parking lot near Albany International Airport on Dec. 29, in Colonie, N.Y. Uber and Lyft will be available on New Year's for the first time in the Capital Region.16 things you need to know about ride-sharing Photo: Will Waldron, Albany Times Union
Photo: Will Waldron, Albany Times Union
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Uber and Lyft stickers are shown on a driver's windshield at the ride-hailing parking lot near Albany International Airport on Dec. 29, in Colonie, N.Y. Uber and Lyft will be available on New Year's for the first time in the Capital Region.


16 things you need to know about ride-sharing
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Uber and Lyft stickers are shown on a driver's windshield at the ride-hailing parking lot near Albany International Airport on Dec. 29, in Colonie, N.Y. Uber and Lyft will be available on New Year's for the ... more
Photo: Will Waldron, Albany Times Union
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Click through for 16 things to know about the cool new taxi alternatives.
Click through for 16 things to know about the cool new taxi alternatives.
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Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are growing in popularity across the country, as people use the apps to line up rides.


Click through for 16 things to know about the cool new taxi alternatives.
Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are growing in popularity across the country, as people use the apps to line up rides.

Click through for 16 things to know about the cool new taxi alternatives.
Photo: Siana Hristova, The Chronicle
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1. They're expanding quickly

After launching in 2009, Uber already has a presence in 70 U.S. cities and 36 countries.
1. They're expanding quickly

After launching in 2009, Uber already has a presence in 70 U.S. cities and 36 countries.
Photo: David Liu, Getty Images
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2. It's easy to sign up

The Uber and Lyft apps are both available for Apple and Android devices, and you sign up with a credit card.
2. It's easy to sign up

The Uber and Lyft apps are both available for Apple and Android devices, and you sign up with a credit card.
Photo: Martin Meissner, STR
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3. You can summon a car from the app

No more waiting out on the street corner to hail a cab.
3. You can summon a car from the app

No more waiting out on the street corner to hail a cab.
Photo: By Nacoki ( MEDIA ARC ), Getty Images/Flickr RF
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4. You can track the car's approach

The app will give you an estimated wait time, as well as a map view of your approaching ride.
4. You can track the car's approach

The app will give you an estimated wait time, as well as a map view of your approaching ride.
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5. There are no surprises

Uber gives you a ride estimate before you confirm your car request, so you'll know what your bill should be at the end of the trip.
5. There are no surprises

Uber gives you a ride estimate before you confirm your car request, so you'll know what your bill should be at the end of the trip.
Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS, Staff
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6. The drivers are just like you

Both Uber and Lyft drivers use their personal vehicles for ride sharing. Driving for both services doesn't require an extra permit or taxi-type license, but Lyft does provide background checks and Facebook verification for its drivers.
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6. The drivers are just like you

Both Uber and Lyft drivers use their personal vehicles for ride sharing. Driving for both services doesn't require an extra permit or taxi-type license, but Lyft does provide
... more
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
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7. They're easy to spot

Uber cars are unmarked, but Lyft cars come adorned with fuzzy pink mustaches. Lyft riders are also sent a photo of their driver and vehicle upon car request, so you'll know who and what to expect.
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7. They're easy to spot

Uber cars are unmarked, but Lyft cars come adorned with fuzzy pink mustaches. Lyft riders are also sent a photo of their driver and vehicle upon car request, so you'll know who and what
... more
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
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8. You'll know when your driver arrives

Uber sends a text message as well as a notification within the app when your driver has arrived to pick you up.
8. You'll know when your driver arrives

Uber sends a text message as well as a notification within the app when your driver has arrived to pick you up.
Photo: Autumn Driscoll
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9. There are different types of rides

Uber offers their most economical UberX (various cars), traditional Black Car, SUV, LUX, and Uber Taxi (partnered with typical taxi drivers). Lyft just has one level of ride-sharing, all marked with the pink mustache.

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9. There are different types of rides

Uber offers their most economical UberX (various cars), traditional Black Car, SUV, LUX, and Uber Taxi (partnered with typical taxi drivers). Lyft just has one level of

... more
Photo: San Antonio Express-News File Photo
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10. They'll use GPS

All Uber and Lyft drivers will get you to your destination via the app's route, based on the end point you input when summoning the car.
10. They'll use GPS

All Uber and Lyft drivers will get you to your destination via the app's route, based on the end point you input when summoning the car.
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11. The prices fluctuate

Uber uses "surge pricing" during inclement weather, holidays, and events to cope with demand. Lyft also uses a price increase during their "prime time pricing" periods. 
11. The prices fluctuate

Uber uses "surge pricing" during inclement weather, holidays, and events to cope with demand. Lyft also uses a price increase during their "prime time pricing" periods. 
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12. Paying is easy

Both apps are cashless, so you won't have to deal with paying your driver. The apps automatically charge your credit card on file once your ride is complete. There's also no need to tip unless you want to. Uber takes 20 percent of the fare and the rest goes to the driver. 

You can also easily split fares with a friend within the app as long as they're an Uber customer as well.
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12. Paying is easy

Both apps are cashless, so you won't have to deal with paying your driver. The apps automatically charge your credit card on file once your ride is complete. There's also no need to tip unless
... more
Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS, Staff
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13. You'll be emailed a receipt

No need to clutter up your pockets with paper receipts.
13. You'll be emailed a receipt

No need to clutter up your pockets with paper receipts.
Photo: Cnet
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14. All is not lost

If you leave something behind in your ride's vehicle, Uber's service "Uber Lost" can provide a history of recent rides to help you track down your property.
14. All is not lost

If you leave something behind in your ride's vehicle, Uber's service "Uber Lost" can provide a history of recent rides to help you track down your property.
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15. It can be creepy

There have been reported instances of drivers using a customer's information to contact and sexually harass them. Uber attempts to combat this by scrambling customers' numbers and will deactivate a driver's account (essentially firing them) if they receive multiple complaints. 
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15. It can be creepy

There have been reported instances of drivers using a customer's information to contact and sexually harass them. Uber attempts to combat this by scrambling customers' numbers and will
... more
Photo: Business Insider
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16. It's controversial

Since Uber and Lyft are skirting strict taxi service regulations by claiming to be nothing more that a facilitation service between riders and third party drivers, there have been lawsuits filed by taxi organizations lobbying for the car sharing services to be regulated just as heavily. In the photo above, traditional taxi drivers attend a pro-Lyft rally, holding photos of a young girl who was kidnapped and murdered by an off-duty Uber driver.
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16. It's controversial

Since Uber and Lyft are skirting strict taxi service regulations by claiming to be nothing more that a facilitation service between riders and third party drivers, there have been lawsuits
... more
Photo: JEFF ESTEP, TRANSIT PLUMBING
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Revelers ringing in the New Year have a few free and discounted options to ensure safe, sober travels around Houston.

Dec. 31 is one of the busiest nights of the year for drivers of taxis and those connecting with riders via smartphone apps such as Uber and Lyft.

As a result, it can also be among the mostly costly or complicated. Drivers are in demand, and the app-based companies charge rates to encourage drivers to log on and offer rides. That means prices can skyrocket, especially shortly after midnight until about 3 a.m.

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There are options to lower the costs, but they are in limited supply. A promotion Uber ran for $10 off rides in the Houston area ended Saturday, when some received a message that the promotion met its allowable capacity.

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The law firm of Sutliff & Stout, with offices in Houston and Austin, is offering up to $30, including a tip to the driver, for paid trips in both cities. The promotion is limited to the first 1,000 applicants, who mail their receipt, a copy of the driver’s license and a PayPal-associated email address to the law firm.

The only guaranteed free ride in Houston is Metropolitan Transit Authority, which is waiving bus and rail fares from 6 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday.

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Rail service on Sunday night is extended to 2 a.m. to allow people more time to get home along the Red, Green and Purple lines.

Buses remain on their normal schedules, meaning most people will have to hustle for the first few minutes of 2018 if they hope to catch a bus. Major bus routes typically end around 12:30 or 1 a.m.