Uber, Lyft can operate in British Columbia's Lower Mainland, Whistler

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Ride-share companies Uber and Lyft can now operate in the Lower Mainland region and Whistler. British Columbia's Passenger Transportation Board released a press release about the news. The board wrote, "The decisions were made after a careful review of the extensive materials received during the application process, which included supporting information provided by the applicants and submissions from interested members of the public and stakeholders." 

After getting their licenses, Uber and Lyft will need to secure appropriate vehicle insurances. The companies will also need to work with the municipalities in their areas to make sure they comply with local by-laws. 

Uber Eats' allergy filters help keep your dining experience safe and enjoyable

You may or may not know this, but Uber Eats has a section that lets you filter out any allergies or dietary restrictions you might have. Instead of using the Special Instructions section of the app, you can now specify your needs through the Allergy section. The app will also let you filter through different restaurants based on your dietary preferences.

Restaurants will be able to identify allergies and take the necessary precautions when processing an order. If a restaurant can't accommodate your request, they can message you to let you choose other options that fit your restrictions.

Uber and YWCA Canada offer rides to help underserved communities

Uber Canada has partnered with the non-profit Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Canada to help young women and gender diverse people in the country arrive at essential meetings and interviews. The ride-sharing service will provide rides for things like job training, medical appointments, and job interviews. It's part of Uber's Community Impact Initiative, and it's available for residents in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Those who need a ride can get in touch with YWCA so that they can coordinate with Uber. 

The two parties previously collaborated on a project that raises awareness about gender-based violence. They provide training and resources for support programs and services around the country.

Source: YWCA

You can no longer book Uber rides through Google Maps

One of those neat little tricks hidden within Google Maps is being able to book your Uber ride right from the navigation app. Unfortunately, that no longer exists. Eighteen months after the feature was introduced, Google posted a new support page that states plainly that “You can no longer book Uber rides directly in Google Maps.” The feature was previously accessible when you searched for a location and a tab for ride-sharing existed where you could book the ride from there. This tab still exists but now it’ll only show you an estimate of your ride and then it’ll send you out to the Uber app if you want to book a ride.

Even with 17 different services supported within the ride-sharing tab, Uber used to be the only app that will let you pay for a ride and complete the trip right from within Google Maps. It’s not known why Google and Uber decided to end this program.

Source: Ars Technica