A new study sheds light on critical questions about what companies like Uber and Lyft mean for transit, active transportation, and congestion: one finding is that they attract passengers away from public transit, biking, and walking, in addition to serving as a complementary mode (e.g., for commuter rail).



We found that a large portion of travelers are substituting ride-hailing in place of public transit, biking, and walking trips, or would not have made the trips at all. These trips, which are being substituted for or generated by ride-hailing, are most likely adding vehicles to the road in major metropolitan areas. There is a significant need for future research on the topic — the most recent findings from major cities seem to suggest that ride-hailing is likely adding to, not reducing traffic congestion.

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Source: [H]ardOCP – Uber and Lyft Have Reduced Mass Transit Use, but Added Traffic