Lyft, a US-based rideshare transportation network is expanding its global capabilities after announcing an international partnership with Asian companies Grab Taxi and Ola.
GrabTaxi is a smartphone booking and dispatch platform based in Singapore, while Ola serves as India’s equivalent.
In partnering with these two companies, Lyft expands its global ridesharing agreement, which was originally introduced earlier this year when Chinese expansion efforts saw partnership with firm Didi Kuaidi.
With Lyft’s extension to southeast Asia and India, all three partners contribute to the expansion of Lyft’s footprint in nearly 50 per cent of the world’s population.
Starting early next year, travellers will be able to use all providers via their app. This will allow American (or English) travellers to use the Lyft app in the new-partnered destinations and also pay in US dollars, meanwhile those in Asia, India or China will not only be able to pay in their native currency but will also have access to Lyft services through their company’s app (GrabTaxi, Ola, Didi Kuaidi).
Lyft said that structuring the partnership this way will prevent many common language barriers and increase traveller satisfaction.
Lyft said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Didi, GrabTaxi and Ola to make more progress toward our mission of reconnection people and communities through better transportation.”
The announcement comes shortly after Uber introduced UberPool, where travellers going to the same or nearby destinations can opt to share a ride with the benefit of a lower cost.