Late last year, Facebook gave users the ability to request for Uber rides through Messenger. Now, Lyft announced that it will be launching the same on the messenger app.
Just to recap, the Uber feature was made available for testing within certain cities in the United States. It works by just tapping on the addresses sent through Messenger to call for rides by linking to the user's Uber account.
Lyft said that with Messenger as its newest marquee partner, it would allow users to request for a Lyft ride without having to leave the communications app. In fact, it says that the Slack productivity tool has already been offering the feature since November 2015.
With the API of the developer program, Lyft has partnered with Xerox, GlobeSherpa, RideScout and Citymapper. With the data from these companies, users will know about transit apps of different cities and will be able to choose from different transportation options.
Lyft also mentioned that users planning trips to China, India and other countries in Southeast Asia will soon be able to use Lyft as they would in the United States to request for a ride, thanks to its partnerships with Grab, Didi and Ola. The same thing applies to users coming from these countries as they visit the United States.
The ride-sharing service has also launched the Lyft Developer Program, which allows anyone from all over the world to build upon Lyft's platform. With the program, the company hopes more uses and integration for the Lyft app - following in the footsteps of its past partners, including Starbucks, Waze and GM.
Being able to move from one place to another is an integral part of everyday life. That's why for the company, when it comes to transportation - the sky's the limit. Lyft said that it is still looking for developers who can find new ways to request for a Lyft ride through different kinds of apps.
