Fortunately it hasn’t been as bad lately but it has taken a while to get here.
Let me just state this in the beginning. This is New York City. They drive crazy here. It’s like nowhere else and that isn’t a compliment. So why would I expect rideshare drivers to be any different?
Over the past three months, we have had to go into the city three times a weekend for medical appointments. The only viable option was to use rideshare services to get to and from the appointments. Medical issues made it too risky to take the subway.
When we started, we used Lyft. Nearly every drive seemed to be intent on driving as fast as they possibly could. It was the fast and the furious on 99% of the rides. Many ignored our requests to slow down and to be mindful of the medical issues of their passenger. One even laughed. Most could barely understand English. After several bad experiences, we thought that paying for an higher level ride and getting bigger vehicles would make the rides less stressful and chaotic. It did not. Lyft is a joke. Their comfort level service is a ripoff. Drivers get around the requirements by making their vehicles to appear to qualify as higher level vehicles. One thing they do to qualify for more legroom is to slide the front passenger seat all the way forward.
We abandoned Lyft and decided to try their competition.
Uber was an improvement but we still had issues in communicating with drivers about our unique situation and medical issues. We decided to try their upper level Uber Black service. We also began including a note requesting a particular route to avoid the highway and the medical issue which requires them to drive calmly. Apparently this had worked better. It seems the note before the driver arrives translate it so they can understand. It has been better and drivers have been more attentive to how they are driving.
The other service we have tried is Blacklane. Blacklane is a chauffeur service. Very high end and expensive. I surprised my wife with this one day. It was the best service but it also cost as much as two Uber Black rides. I would choose Blacklane all the time if we could afford it.
Honestly, the most stressful part of our trips to the hospital have been the rides. This is ridiculous and it is sad we have had to pay more to get rides that safely accommodate someone with medical issues. The rides to/from medical appointments shouldn't even be a thought compared to the appointment itself.
In case you wondered - no, insurance does not pay for these rides. There are also other services that transport people to medical appointments are unfriendly and unreliable. Do you want to put up with that kind of service with a bunch of other sick people around you? You would think someone would offer a service to provide safe and stress free transportation for patients. At least give a discount if the trip is for medical reasons.
Yes, I have reached out to the rideshare companies but have received no response.
Best rideshare experience: Blacklane
Worst rideshare experience: Lyft Comfort
Biggest problem: Language/communication
You may also wonder why I wouldn't just drive us. Are you kidding me? By the time you add up gas, parking, congestion fees and tolls, it would cost about as much. Not to mention the added stress of driving.
For now, we are going to continue using Uber Black service.
