Many over age 50 have no idea what Lyft or Uber are or what they bring to us. Neither does the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).
Five of us were in Chicago recently — too many for a taxi. My son tapped his phone app and told us that an Uber van was three minutes away. A guy in a 2010 van picked us up. Upon arriving, I asked if I could pay or tip. My son told me it was already charged to his card, done! A very ambitious bike-friendly program has put bike lanes with safe buffer zones everywhere in that city, the result being that few who live in that city ever drive a car. With winter approaching, obviously Lyft, Uber and the regular taxi drivers will be very busy.
In Chicago and other cities, this has brought more business for everyone, including the regular taxi drivers. Pittsburgh's terrain makes it very difficult. Try to find a taxi in the North or South Hills.
The PUC's stand is another example of Pennsylvania backward thinking. Make it safe, but let's go forward.
Alex Dumot
Oakmont
