Study shows Uber and other hitchhiking apps make traffic worse

One of the main advantages of using Uber, 99, Cabify and other hitchhiking services, according to the companies that provide this type of service, is the reduction of traffic in a city, as users might even stop owning. a vehicle to use only platform cars.

Despite the good appeal and good intent, this is not the case according to a study by Schaller Consulting published by The Washington Post. According to the survey, the boom in paid-ride applications has put many cars simultaneously on the streets, which has added to the traffic problem in the United States.

From the bus to Uber

This is because, in the vast majority of cases, cars are used by just one passenger even with options like Uber Pool, which shares their trip with more people. Worse yet, these hitchhiking services take passengers off public transport or take people who would previously choose to ride a bicycle or even walk.

Paid rides increase traffic because most users come from options that are cars

Bottom line: Companies like Uber, 99 and Cabify would be replacing not private vehicles, but more sustainable means of transportation. In the end, the study concludes - after looking at nine urban areas over a six-year period - that paid hitchhiking services generated an extra over 9 billion kilometers driven by cars, just the opposite of what is said.

“Paid rides increase traffic because most users come from options that are cars, ” the report says. “In addition, there is more mileage between trips, as drivers wait for the next customer and then drive to the Finally, even on a paid trip, part of the race involves only one passenger (for example, between the first and second pickups). ”

Companies affected by the survey result obviously disagree with the results, but have not yet provided hard data to prove the opposite.

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Study shows Uber and other hitchhiking apps make traffic worse via TecMundo