Uber and Lyft have built loyal following, survey finds

A smartphone app for Lyft drivers is seen during a photo opportunity in San Francisco, California February 3, 2016. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Americans who use ride-hailing apps believe the services are a positive force in the economy, and they should not be regulated like traditional taxis, according to a survey conducted by an independent research group. 

The survey, released by the Pew Research Centre, suggests that companies operating in the sharing economy have created a loyal following among the relatively small slice of Americans who do business with them.