Catching a cab in NYC surely has gotten much easier with the introduction of services like Uber and Lyft. Those two companies provide great service but they can get expensive at times.
That’s where Via comes in. It is similar to Uber and Lyft but cheaper and as expected a little less convenient and comfortable. It’s not available at any time. You might have to share a ride. Takes longer to catch a ride. But, it’s only $5 and you get a $10 credit for signing up.
Besides the $10 sign up bonus, GiltCity is also offering two other options for new members. You can get $25 credit for $9.95 or $50 credit for $29.95.
Availability
- New York
- Available only in Manhattan south of 125th St & JFK and LaGuardia Airports
- Ride weekdays, 6:30am to midnight
- Rides from 6:30am to 9pm are $5 plus tax
- Rides from 9pm to midnight are $7.95 plus tax
- Chicago
- Available only in the Loop, River North, or Lincoln Park and Lakeview (east of Sheffield).
- Ride weekdays, 6:30am to 9pm
- Rides are $5
- Washington DC
- Availability anywhere between Cleveland Park and NoMa
- Ride weekdays between 6am and 10am and 4pm to 8pm
- Rides are just $2.15
How It Works
Pretty similar to Uber. But you have to purchase Ride Credits in increments of $25 or $50 and you can set it for an automatic refill when your balance is low. If you use up all of your credits and take a ride, it will be more expensive.
Since it’s cheap, you’ll have to share your your ride with anywhere from zero to four people in one car (depending on how busy they are, and how big the car is). The service doesn’t pick you up in front of your location, but on a nearby corner. The average wait time is about five minutes, but slightly longer during rush hour. If the car gets there before you do, they’ll wait for two minutes then contact you before taking off.
It might take a few minutes longer to reach your destination, if there’s pick-ups along the way. After rush hour, most likely you’ll be alone, but prepare for awkward small talk if you’re sharing a ride.
Sign Up
You can sign up by downloading the Via App. You can use my referral code”danny7r4” to get $10 of ride credit (i’ll get the same). You can then refer friends yourself. When your friend signs up with your code, they’ll start off with $10 of Ride Credit, and you’ll get $10 too, once they take their first ride.
