Uber/lyft in LA
 

Are there enough drivers out there currently to meet demand? I worry that I may get an Uber to get myself to a destination and then won't be able to find a driver to get me back. Anyone with current experience now? Thanks

Unless the pickup would be remote, I can't imagine that you wouldn't -eventually- get a ride. But there is a shortage of drivers. A couple of weeks ago, I waited 30+ minutes for a pickup in a suburb of L.A. in the middle of the day.

Where would the pickup be?

FWIW, in L.A. I prefer Lyft although many drive for both apps.

Thank you. Thinking PV to LB. Got stuck once at John Wayne (prepandemic), mid afternoon and couldn't get an Uber, so I'm wary about it now since I have read there's a shortage of drivers.

It can also be hard to get a taxi as well. I had a Dr. Appt yesterday at 2pm, booked it May 11 and confirmed May 13 (day before). My ride was late,, called and was told they were trying to find a driver and it could take another 1-3 hours.. I called and rescheduled my Dr appt.
I don't know what to tell you and would suggest a rental car, but they are also in short supply. It took my sister 3 days to get a rental car when hers was in the shop last month.

I think PV would be "remote," esp. if the starting point is something like Lunada Bay, Terranea... IOW really out there. If closer to San Pedro, I would say your chances are better.

If you could get to PCH, you could take the 232 bus. The southern terminus is Long Beach Blvd. at Ocean Blvd.

If you are staying at Terranea, before the pandemic they offered a free shuttle to Riviera Village in Redondo Beach. That's the "wrong" direction, but it would get you to PCH for free. From there to LB would take about 45-50 minutes on the 232. The Terranea website also mentions "access to public transportation," but you'd have to check that out with the resort to see what that actually means.

https://media.metro.net/documents/b5...9fb03577b7.pdf

https://www.terranea.com/destination-earth

No guarantees. Better chance of getting one from LB back to PV but pricing has jumped, about the same as a taxi now.

https://abc7.com/uber-lyft-prices-driver-shortage/10591112/

Thank you all. I guess I'll forgo Uber now and drive. I wanted the luxury of a glass of wine at a friend's.

You can also book something that you can cancel, and keep testing Uber and Lyft for availability. There are a lot of incentives now to try to get more drivers signing up, plus the COVID vaccines have opened up to younger drivers.

Thank you, mlgb. Using Uber or lyft is a real luxury in LA traffic. I miss it.

Has anything changed as far as availability for Ube or Lyft? The last article I read was not encouraging.

No big change that I'm aware of, but the state doesn't fully "reopen" until June 15th. If case numbers go nuts following Memorial Day, L.A. County may decide to diverge from the state's guidelines. Not for the first time....

Thanks, Jean.

You can run a test quote on Uber or Lyft. I did it from Belmont Shore to a random address in the peninsula at about 7:30 tonight, and you could get a regular car within 10-20 minutes. The cost was in the $35 range.

Good suggestion. Thanks, mlgb.

Just know that the estimated wait time you're given may not be accurate. A month ago, my 10-minute wait turned out to be 30+ minutes because the car didn't start from nearby but from an airport 15 miles away. And then the driver got a little turned around finding the pickup point (somewhat similar geography to PV). If you must be in LB by a specific time, I'd book the car earlier than you think you need to.

Good advice.

There are a lot of new drivers out there, I think.

Thank you, Jean. I'll echo mlgb and say good advice.