If you are an Uber driver or rider than you are most likely aware that the Uber GPS capabilities are frankly, no good. Uber’s in app GPS has long been a point of tension for Uber drivers, causing many drivers to ditch the app’s GPS completely and use their own source of navigation. Surprisingly, Uber has yet to make any big efforts to integrate a better routing application for their drivers.
Lyft, however, saw Uber’s misstep as a way to gain some ground on the rideshare giant and announced on Tuesday that they are joining forces with Google’s Waze to improve their in-app navigation and to help drivers avoid traffic congestion. By integrating Waze, drivers will also be able to improve the efficiency of both rider pick-ups and drop-offs by updating their routes in real time based on traffic, accidents, and other contributing factors.
According to The Verge, “Drivers will be able to switch seamlessly back and forth between Lyft and Waze using a new “Return to Lyft” button. And to help keep their customer ratings high through more efficient trips, Lyft says that Waze, which uses crowdsourcing data to reduce traffic and improve routing, will now be the default navigation tool for all of its drivers.”
Lyft is the first and currently the only rideshare company to use Waze’s technology. If Uber wants to keep their drivers happy they may have no choice but to follow suit!
