Module 11: Ride-Sharing Apps — Uber & Lyft
What you will learn: How to request a safe ride using Uber or Lyft, how to verify your driver before getting in, how to share your trip with a family member, and what to do if you ever feel unsafe.
Robert, 76, had always driven himself everywhere. When his car went in for a week-long repair, he faced a dilemma: a doctor's appointment across town, and no way to get there. Taxis seemed expensive and unreliable. His daughter suggested Uber.
"I do not want a stranger driving me around," Robert said. But his daughter showed him how the app worked — you could see the driver's name, photo, car model, and licence plate before they even arrived. Other passengers had rated this driver 4.9 out of 5 over 2,000 trips. That made Robert feel much better.
The driver arrived exactly on time. Robert checked the licence plate against the app — a match. The driver greeted him by name without being asked. The ride was comfortable and professional. Robert tracked the route on his phone the whole way, knowing his daughter could see his location too.
He made his appointment with ten minutes to spare. He now uses Uber monthly — especially for early morning flights when he does not want to impose on his children. "It is actually more comfortable than a taxi," he says. "And I feel safer because I can see everything before I get in."
Ride-sharing apps connect you with local, screened drivers through your smartphone. You request a ride, a nearby driver accepts, and picks you up. Payment is automatic — no cash needed. You see the driver's name, photo, car details, and licence plate before they arrive, and you know the price upfront.
🚗 Uber — Complete Beginner's Guide
Step 1: Download and Set Up
Step 2: Requesting Your Ride
What You See After a Driver Accepts
The app shows you: Driver's first name and photo, their star rating (e.g., 4.87 ★ from 1,847 trips), the car model and colour (e.g., "Silver Toyota Camry"), and the licence plate number. Always check the plate before getting in.
Step 3: Meeting Your Driver — The Most Important Part
Before getting into any vehicle, do these three things in order:
If something does not match — if the plate is different, if the driver seems unsure of your name, or if anything feels wrong — do NOT get in the car. Cancel the trip in the app and request a new one. Your safety is worth a brief delay.
Step 4: During the Ride
- Sit in the back seat — this is the standard practice and most comfortable
- Wear your seatbelt — always
- Share your trip: In the app, tap the shield icon → "Share Status" → select a contact. Your chosen family member or friend can now watch your ride in real-time on their phone
- Emergency button: If you ever feel unsafe, the app has a 911 button that sends your location and driver details to emergency services
- Trust your instincts: If you feel uncomfortable at any point, you can ask to be let out at the next safe public place (like a gas station or pharmacy)
Step 5: Arrival and Payment
🩷 Lyft — Very Similar to Uber
Lyft works almost identically to Uber. The setup, requesting, and safety procedures are the same. A few differences to note:
- Logo: Pink with a stylized "L" — sometimes called the "pink mustache brand"
- Pricing: Sometimes slightly cheaper than Uber, sometimes slightly more — it is worth checking both apps if you have time
- Availability: In Ontario, Lyft is active in Windsor, London, and Kitchener-Waterloo. Uber tends to have wider coverage in smaller cities like St. Thomas and Woodstock
- Safety features: Same — GPS tracking, driver photo and plate verification, 911 emergency button, trip sharing
Both are safe and reliable. If you are in a larger city, try both and see which has shorter wait times and better prices that day. If you are in a smaller community, start with Uber as it tends to have more drivers in rural Ontario areas.
🛡️ Safety Deep-Dive
Before you tap, click, or reply — pause for just 3 seconds:
1. Stop — Do not tap anything yet.
2. Breathe — Take one slow breath.
3. Verify — Did I expect this message? Does the sender look right?
When in doubt, close it and call someone you trust.
Ride-sharing is designed with safety as a priority. Here is a complete summary of your safety checklist:
Confidence Check: These safety habits take about 30 seconds total and make every ride safer. With time, they become completely automatic.
📍 Uber & Lyft Availability in Your Area
| City | Uber | Lyft |
|---|---|---|
| Windsor | ✅ Active | ✅ Active |
| London | ✅ Active | ✅ Active |
| Kitchener-Waterloo | ✅ Active | ✅ Active |
| St. Thomas | ✅ Active | ⚠️ Limited |
| Woodstock | ✅ Active | ⚠️ Limited |
Video Lab — Ride-Sharing Explained
How to Use Uber for the First Time
A complete walkthrough of requesting your first Uber ride — from opening the app to verifying your driver and completing the trip.
Watch TutorialsUber Safety Tips for Seniors
Essential safety advice for older adults using ride-sharing apps, including driver verification and how to share your trip with family.
Watch TutorialsLyft vs. Uber — Which Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of Uber and Lyft for everyday use, with tips for which app works best in different Ontario communities.
Watch TutorialsThese links open YouTube search results in a new tab. You can watch as many videos as you like for free without signing in.
📚 New to YouTube? Learn how to spot quality videos and avoid ads
Practical Exercise: Set Up Without Requesting
Your Practice This Week
Set up the Uber app and get comfortable with how it works — without actually requesting a ride yet.
- Download Uber from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Create your account (phone number, email, name).
- Add a payment method — a credit or debit card.
- Open the app and type in a local destination — your doctor's office, a friend's address, or the nearest mall.
- Look at the ride options and the price shown. Notice how clearly the cost is displayed.
- Do NOT tap "Request" yet — just explore the app and see how it feels.
- Optional: Ask a family member to try a short test trip with you as a "passenger practice run."
You are ready to ride whenever you need to!
Whether it is a medical appointment, an airport trip, or just a day out — you now have a safe, reliable option in your pocket.
Quick Check: Test Your Knowledge
1. You are waiting for your Uber. A car pulls up and the driver says "Are you going to the hospital?" What should you do FIRST?
2. How does Uber payment work at the end of a ride?
3. What does the "Share Trip" feature in Uber do?
Module 11 Progress Checklist
🤝 Need In-Person Help?
Your Local Library
Many libraries offer free tech workshops and one-on-one help sessions.
Connected Canadians
Free one-on-one tech support by phone or video call.
1-855-808-0505
Cyber-Seniors
Free tech training from trained volunteers.
1-844-217-3057
Congratulations — you have completed Module 11!
You now have a safe, affordable way to get around — whenever you need it, wherever you need to go. Whether it is a medical appointment, an airport trip, or a spontaneous afternoon out, you have the knowledge and the tools. You have done something genuinely empowering today.
You have completed all 11 modules of the Digital Confidence Centre!
That is an extraordinary achievement. You are now one of the most digitally prepared people in your community. Be very proud of yourself.
Quick Answers
Uber and Lyft are generally safe. Before getting in any ride-share vehicle, verify the car licence plate, make, and model match what is shown in the app. The app shows the driver name and photo. You can share your trip status with a trusted contact from within the app.
Payment is handled automatically through the app using a credit card you register when setting up your account. You do not need cash or a debit card. The charge goes to your credit card after the trip ends.
Open the Uber or Lyft app, go to your recent trip, and tap "Find lost item." The app will connect you with the driver or their company. Act quickly — within an hour is best.
At this time, neither Uber nor Lyft allows you to request a driver of a specific gender in Canada. If you have safety concerns, consider travelling with a companion or sharing your trip status with a trusted person.