New Car Service Gaining Attention In Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Typically, you hail a cab or order a car from a smart phone app and a licensed driver takes you from point A to point B.

But, as CBS 2's Marissa Bailey reports, a new car-ordering service takes the idea one step further, and some people are nervous it could be dangerous.

Tory Erskine is an office manager by day, but drives for a company called Lyft in her free time.

Lyft takes the concept of a car service one step further.

Tory uses her personal car to pick up clients; she'll even offer you a bottle of water.

"We're here to make your life a little bit easier, and make your ride to work a little bit more fun. It's a different experience than riding the CTA to work."

There is a free app used to order a ride, and it boasts comparable car wait times as other services.

However, unlike a cab, you also get a fist pump hello, ride shot-gun and can charge your phone and listen to your favorite radio station.

And it's 20 percent cheaper than a taxi cap.

All Lyft cars can be spotted by the pink mustache.

David Rust, director of Lyft operations in Chicago, dismisses critics who say it's an advanced form of hitchhiking.

"That's not the case," Rust said. "So every single person who has applied to be a part of the Lyft community has gone through both a county level and a national level background check."

Security expert Tom Kasza says younger generations are more open to random meetings, sometimes putting convenience before safety.

"You know it wasn't all that long ago - the mantra you would teach somebody is, 'Don't talk to strangers'," he said. "Now you can meet a stranger, meet him or her online and how have that same person pick you up in their vehicle."

Lyft is a cashless service.

Customers sign up with a credit card when they download the free app.

It started in May in Chicago and continues to grow each week.

If you are interested in being a driver, you can click on this link.