Frequently Asked Questions

Private Membership Rideshare Clear Answers for Riders & Drivers

OwnRyde is a private, membership-based rideshare community designed to put safety, fairness, and transparency first. Below you’ll find clear answers about membership, rider benefits, driver earnings, safety standards, and how our private platform works for both riders and drivers.

Membership Questions, Answered

What is OwnRyde?
OwnRyde is a private, membership-based rideshare community created to give riders safer transportation and drivers higher earnings. Unlike public apps, only verified members can ride or drive, creating a trusted, closed network.
Because membership creates a safer, more reliable, and more respectful community.

Membership lets us:

  • Prevent unsafe or anonymous accounts
  • Keep pricing fair without surge
  • Pay drivers more
  • Maintain higher safety standards
  • Offer a premium, community-first transportation experience

We are not a public TNC — and that’s intentional.

Yes — for Early Access Members ONLY.

If you join during early access, your membership is:

  • FREE for life
  • Grandfathered permanently
  • Never billed, ever

Once the platform launches publicly, new users may pay a monthly or yearly membership fee — but early members will never pay.

Because early members help us:

  • Build the community
  • Test features
  • Provide feedback
  • Support the launch

Your trust earns lifetime benefits.

Yes — membership gives you access to the platform, but riders still pay per ride. Because drivers earn more, riders typically pay less than Uber/Lyft, especially for scheduled rides.

No.
OwnRyde is a private community, not a public rideshare.

All members must:
• Apply
• Verify identity
• Meet community standards

This ensures respectful riders and professional drivers.

The Founders Program gives early members lifetime perks:

• Free membership forever
• Priority access
• Premium rider support
• No driver membership fees
• Locked-in benefits even after launch

Founders are the backbone of the community.

Yes — membership gives you access to the platform, but riders still pay per ride. Because drivers earn more, riders typically pay less than Uber/Lyft, especially for scheduled rides.

Riders

Yes — because OwnRyde takes far less commission than Uber or Lyft, riders pay:

• No surge
• Transparent pricing
• Lower per-mile cost
• Better value for scheduled rides
• Better airport ride reliability

Yes.
All riders must verify their identity before booking.

This ensures member safety and eliminates:
• Fake accounts
• Bots
• Dangerous riders
• Fraud

Riders enjoy:

  • Safer, verified drivers
  • Member-to-member accountability
  • Fixed pricing (no surge)
  • Priority booking
  • Option to choose the same driver
  • Cleaner, professional vehicles
  • Early access with lifetime free membership

Yes.

If a rider refers another rider:

  • Both receive $5 ride credit

(After the new rider completes their first trip.)

There is no limit to how many credits a rider can earn.

Drivers

Drivers earn 80%–100% of every fare depending on trip type and promotions.
  • No hidden fees
  • No surprise deductions
  • No corporate cut-taking

Because OwnRyde is not a traditional TNC and doesn’t:

  • Take 40–60% commissions
  • Enforce unfair penalties
  • Manipulate surge pricing
  • Deactivate drivers without explanation

Instead, OwnRyde is driver-founded, so fairness is built into the model.

Yes.

All OwnRyde Driver Members are required to maintain valid auto insurance that allows for-hire or pre-arranged transportation, depending on their insurer and local requirements.

Accepted coverage may include:

  • Commercial Auto Insurance
  • Livery / For-Hire Insurance
  • Rideshare Endorsement (if permitted by the driver’s insurer)

Drivers must upload:

  • Current insurance ID card
  • Full insurance declaration page

Insurance must remain active at all times while driving on the platform.

Requirements include:

• 4-door vehicle
• 2008 or newer model
• Clean interior and exterior
• Valid registration and insurance
• Must pass a basic safety inspection

Drivers must submit:

• Driver’s license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of insurance
• Background check
• Clean driving record

No. Drive whenever you want — no schedules, no penalties, no quotas.

Drivers receive:

  • Weekly direct deposits
  • Full transparency on every fare
  • No hidden fees deducted
After you submit all required documents, including insurance and the declaration page, and they are approved.
OwnRyde covers the cost of the background check for qualified applicants.

Safety

Drivers are screened for:

  • Driving history
  • Criminal background
  • Identity verification

Riders must also verify their identity to prevent unsafe users.

Yes — because OwnRyde is private, not public.

Safety benefits:

  • No anonymous users
  • Verified riders
  • Verified drivers
  • Member accountability
  • Cleaner vehicles
  • Safer community behavior patterns

Violations result in:

  • Warnings
  • Temporary suspension
  • Permanent removal from membership

Unlike public platforms, we protect the community first.

Platform & Launch

Initial launch: Portland, Oregon

Expansion depends on membership interest. Join the waitlist to be notified when your city opens.
Not yet, but expansion is planned city by city with a community-first approach.

Riders: verify identity.

Drivers: complete application + document upload + background check.

Approvals typically take 24–72 hours.

Additional Questions

For Riders:

  • Lower prices
  • Safer rides
  • Clean vehicles
  • Trusted drivers

For Drivers:

  • 80–100% earnings
  • No corporate manipulation
  • Safer passenger community
  • Immediate respect and fairness

No.

OwnRyde operates as a Private Membership Transportation Platform, not a public TNC.

This allows:

  • Lower overhead
  • Higher earnings
  • More safety controls
  • Better rider screening

To protect the community and give both riders and drivers a better experience.

Going private ensures:

  • Better safety
  • Higher earnings
  • No surge pricing
  • No corporate interference
  • No TNC requirements
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