Lyft is announcing a new version of its app that improves shared rides, integrates directly with cities and transit agencies, and simplifies its passengers’ overall experience. Combining product design with local government-led city planning is an important step forward, and a first in the rideshare industry, according to the company.

Sharing the ride
As part of the upgrade, Line rides will now be part of a larger ride type called Lyft Shared rides. The company set a goal to make Shared rides account for 50% of all trips on the Lyft platform by the end of 2020.

Integrating with public transit
The new version of the app integrates directly with public transit to help solve some of the biggest transportation challenges: providing late-night service, filling first-mile and last-mile gaps, providing access to transportation deserts, and delivering on-demand paratransit solutions.

Lyft has transit partnerships with more than 25 cities and counties across the U.S. The first two integrations with the app are coming to Marin County and Santa Monica, Calif., through partnerships with the Transportation Authority of Marin and Big Blue Bus.

Simplifying customer experience
The new version of the Lyft app starts by asking where you’re going and then quickly provides the best ride options. By making price and time comparison clear, it’s easier to find the best choice, according to Lyft. The company has also added a “one tap to ride” feature so you can quickly request your most frequent ride types and destinations.

To help reduce congestion, users will also start to see more practical pickup and drop-off spots in heavily trafficked areas, like Valencia Street in San Francisco. Earlier this year, Lyft partnered with local officials to test a Valencia Street experience that diverted over 20,000 pickups to side streets where it’s safer for drivers to stop. The company plans to roll out similar programs across its markets, according to officials.

Lyft's redesigned app, now live, will continue rolling out by the end of next month.