Need a 'Lyft'?
By:
Jamie Hult, Staff writer
Gene Renschler is one of a handful of Lyft drivers who live in the Brandon area. The American Legion commander is hoping the community will give the ride-hailing service a try. Jamie Hult/BV Journal
S.D.'s new ride-sharing service is more local than you think
Catching a ride just got a lot quicker and cheaper for Brandon area residents.
Sioux Falls isn’t the only town around using Lyft. Since the ride-hailing service launched in South Dakota Oct. 24, several Brandon residents have gotten their pink Lyft stickers and license to drive.
Gene Renschler drives on weekday nights and weekends. He gave about 50 rides in his first three weeks, mostly in Sioux Falls. Locals aren’t putting in a lot of ride requests yet, he said, but they may not realize how close Lyft is.
“During the week I turn it on as often as I can to see if anyone needs a ride. And when I’m online I see there’s at least three to five other people in Brandon giving rides,” Renschler said. “I’m not partial to anybody getting out there and driving. What I’m more trying to push – and that’s why I’m doing Facebook ads and putting business cards in all the bars – is to try to get the riders to start using it.”
Using Lyft is simple. Riders download the app and log in to request a driver. Drivers who are logged in hear a “ping” alerting them that there’s a rider in the area. Once a driver accepts the request, the rider can see the driver’s location and get a wait time estimate.
“This is what’s different than a cab, where you have no clue when they’re going to be there – it could be 20 minutes, it could be two hours,” Renschler said. “This way you can watch them come to you.”
Riders can also see their driver’s name, photo, vehicle and how that driver has been rated by other riders. Drivers are rated based on safety, navigation, friendliness and cleanliness.
So far Renschler has a perfect 5-star rating, and it’s easy to see how: The Brandon American Legion commander genuinely enjoys the job.
“I really like people,” he said. “I’ve heard a lot of good stories networking with people. You know what they say – drunks and kids tell the truth.”
Lyft has been hailed for its potential for keeping drunk drivers off the roads. In Brandon, between 60 to 80 drunk driving arrests are made every year, said police chief Dave Kull.
“It may not sound like a lot, but it’s a pretty good chunk. It is a hazard out there,” Kull said. “It’s a positive if people are out at the bar and use a ride service. We don’t have a cab company, so this fills that gap.”
Lyft fares are also cheaper than taxis – sometimes by quite a bit.
“Definitely cheaper than a DUI,” Renschler said.
Jo Hausman was happy with her $15 fare from Brandon to west Sioux Falls.
She’s taken two Lyft rides, and both drivers happened to be from Brandon, too.
“It was a great experience. They were so interactive and friendly,” said Hausman, who sits on city council and said she wanted to bring a taxi service to Brandon years ago.
While many riders come from bars, some just want the luxury of going somewhere without being the one behind the wheel, or they need to get to an appointment or go shopping. Unlike Brandon Transit, the city’s bus system, Lyft is 24 hours a day, and there are no restrictions on distance.
Another perk Lyft is utilizing is that no cash is exchanged between the rider and driver. Riders pay fares and tip via the app, and drivers keep 75 percent of each fare, plus tip.
Renschler’s goal is to make enough money to convince his wife she doesn’t need to work two jobs.
South Dakota was the last state to get a ride-hailing service such as Lyft or Uber, and Renschler thinks residents may be slow to start using Lyft, too. He’s hoping getting the word out helps.
“I really wish the people of Brandon would embrace taking these rides,” he said. “It’s so much safer, easier, convenient and cheaper, especially if you’ve had a few drinks.”
Find his card – which has his given name, Nylis Renschler – at Brandon bars, or reach him at facebook.com/LyftBrandon/
