🚨 Massive Service Update: Neighborly Rideshare App Release + Key Policy Changes
Hello Neighbors,
First, thank you for your continued trust and support. We’re excited to share some important updates regarding the Neighborly Rideshare (NRS) app and changes that affect your service experience.
📱 NRS App Release & Beta Testing Access
We’re proud to announce that the NRS Customer and Driver apps are now live on the iOS App Store and Google Play! However, please note:
App access is currently limited to approved beta testers only.
If you download the app without receiving an official beta invite and signing the Beta Tester Agreement, ride requests will not function.
This release was necessary due to legal obligations, even though public use is restricted during beta testing.
🔒 Beta Access Terms:
You must opt in and sign the Beta Tester Agreement to gain full app access.
Once confirmed, download the app and await onboarding instructions from our team.
Services will roll out in phases with a proactive and thoughtful approach.
🗓️ Booking Policy During Beta
Neighborly Rideshare prioritizes appointments and advance scheduling over last-minute or on-demand requests. During beta:
Standard Service (48-hour advance bookings) and Premium Weekly Scheduling take priority.
Premium users requesting outside their scheduled times must text support at 833-443-2863 to arrange on-demand rides.
💲 Pricing Model Updates
With the app now powered by Google Maps, ride pricing will reflect real-time GPS data and may vary slightly day to day.
🚘 Time-Based Pricing:
6 AM – 6 PM: $1.00/min
6 PM – 12 AM: $1.10/min
12 AM – 6 AM: $1.20/min
Note: Some users may have previously received discounted pricing (e.g., seniors, veterans, students). Moving forward, all pricing will be calculated directly through the app's logic, in line with our official policies.
💵 Minimum Ride Charge:
Rides under 6 minutes will be subject to a $6 minimum fare + terminal fee.
📄 For more details, see: “Understanding Our Minimum Pricing: A Transparent Look.”
🚙 Ride Type Pricing
Round Trips:
Charged full fare from A to B
70% discount on return trip (B to A) automatically applied
Multi-Stop Trips:
Charged at full cost per leg with no discount
If your multi-stop ride exceeds 20 minutes, use a promo code provided by support for savings
💸 Promotions, Referrals & Rewards
📨 Refer a Friend
Send invites through the app's side menu. Once your friend signs up and takes a paid ride, you'll receive a 100% free ride promo code.
🏷️ Promo Codes
Daily codes available for seniors, veterans, and college students. Other codes will be marketed through the app. Codes cannot be stacked.
🎁 Loyalty Points
Earn points with every ride! View and apply your points in the app’s side menu.
🧾 Fees & Price Matching
💼 Wait Time & Other Fees
Now that the app is live, reasonable wait time and service-related fees will apply to fairly support drivers and other riders.
🔁 Price Matching
Send a screenshot of a competing ride's total bill to 833-443-2863. You’ll receive a custom promo code valid for 7 days.
Note: No price matching is available for rides between 12 AM – 6 AM.
We’re thrilled to take this next step with you and are committed to delivering a thoughtful, community-centered rideshare experience. As always, reach out with any questions or feedback.
With gratitude,
The Neighborly Rideshare Team
More Updates will be provided soon!
Understanding Our Minimum Pricing: A Transparent Look
Hi Neighbors,
First and foremost, thank you for your continued support of Neighborly Rideshare. We truly appreciate each and every one of you for choosing our service and being part of our growing community.
We wanted to take a moment to address some questions regarding our pricing—specifically, the minimum $6 charge for rides that are six minutes or less. Our goal is to provide transparency and help you understand the reasoning behind this policy, both from a business standpoint and a human perspective.
The Role of Rideshare Drivers
At its core, rideshare means that a real person in your community is using their personal vehicle—whether owned or rented—to provide transportation for others in need. Every time you request a ride, you're not just using a service; you’re being assisted by a dedicated individual who invests their time, energy, and resources to ensure you get to your destination safely and efficiently.
The True Cost of Ridesharing
As consumers, it’s easy to focus solely on our own transportation needs. However, behind every ride is a driver who incurs significant costs to provide this service. Let’s break down some of these expenses.
Vehicle Costs
Most cities and states require rideshare vehicles to be no older than 10 years, ensuring safety and reliability. Because of this, many drivers have car payments that range between $200 and $600 per month.
Insurance
Rideshare drivers must carry specific rideshare insurance, which is often significantly more expensive than standard policies. As of 2024, insurance rates have increased by at least 30% nationwide, with some individuals experiencing hikes of 50% or more due to age, credit score, and economic inflation.
Maintenance & Wear and Tear
The more a driver operates their vehicle, the faster it wears down. Here are just a few of the ongoing costs they face:
Tires: Quality tires are crucial for safety. Replacing them can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 per tire, adding up to $800 to $2,000 per year.
Fuel & Charging Costs: Gas prices fluctuate, but depending on the type of vehicle, drivers typically spend $60 to $300 per month on fuel.
Interior & Exterior Cleaning: A clean car is essential for both health and comfort. On average, drivers spend $10 per wash, multiple times per week, along with costs for sanitizing sprays and cleaning supplies.
Public Health & Safety
Drivers are in constant contact with passengers, increasing their exposure to germs and viruses. Their dedication to maintaining a safe and clean ride directly benefits all riders.
How Pricing Works at Neighborly Rideshare
Unlike large rideshare corporations, we strive to prioritize our drivers by offering fair wages while keeping our service affordable for our users. Here’s how the pricing breakdown works:
Drivers receive:
60% per ride on weekdays
65% on weekends
70% on overnight rides
The company receives 40%, which is split as follows:
20% goes toward operational costs (technology, support teams, etc.)
20% is reinvested into improving services for both drivers and riders
Why the Minimum Fare is Necessary
Let’s look at an example:
A 10-minute ride priced at $10.60 breaks down like this:
$0.60 covers transaction fees
The driver earns $6
The company receives $4 (which is then split between operational costs and reinvestment)
However, for a 6-minute ride priced at $6.60, the numbers change:
$0.60 covers transaction fees
The driver earns $3.60
The company receives $2.40
For even shorter rides, the driver’s earnings continue to decrease:
5-minute ride: Driver earns $3, company receives $2
4-minute ride: Driver earns $2.40, company receives $1.60
3-minute ride: Driver earns $1.80, company receives $1.20
2-minute ride: Driver earns $1.20, company receives $0.80
1-minute ride: Driver earns $0.60, company receives $0.40
Why This Matters
When booking a short ride, it’s easy to overlook the fact that drivers often travel 10-20 minutes just to reach your pickup location. In extreme cases, they might drive across town only to earn as little as $0.60 for a one-minute ride. That’s why we set a minimum fare of $6, ensuring that drivers are fairly compensated for their time, fuel, and effort.
The Bigger Picture
We know that times are challenging, and everyone is looking for ways to save. Large corporations often use temporary discounts to attract customers back to their platform, only to raise prices later as they face the same challenge all rideshare companies do—fairly compensating drivers. As a rider, it’s important to consider where your money goes. When you choose Neighborly Rideshare, your dollars stay within the community, directly supporting local drivers and small businesses rather than being absorbed by billion-dollar companies that have no real stake in the well-being of your neighborhood.At the end of the day, you have a choice—and we appreciate every time you choose to support a service that values fairness, transparency, and community.
Thank you for taking the time to understand our minimum pricing structure. We’re always here to provide safe, reliable, and fairly-priced rides for you and our neighbors.
With gratitude,
The Neighborly Rideshare Team
Important Service Update 11/18/24
**Effective Immediately**
Service Update Announcement
We have some important updates regarding our service schedule, pricing adjustments, and company developments. Please review the details below to stay informed about our latest offerings and policies.
Thanksgiving Holiday Hours
Neighborly Rideshare will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29. We will resume regular service on Saturday, November 30, at 12:00 noon.
Updated Fare Calculation Based on Google Maps
To better align our pricing model with our upcoming Neighborly Rideshare app and our exclusive use of Google Maps services, we are updating our fare calculation method. Starting immediately, the trip duration shown in Google Maps at the time of booking will serve as the base fare for each ride. This means that each ride’s cost may vary slightly based on real-time travel conditions.
For example, if your morning trip duration shows 6 minutes but your return trip shows 7 minutes, the fare will reflect the actual duration for each ride. Google’s GPS technology accounts for traffic, construction, weather, and other variables, allowing us to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation. This adjustment can benefit you when conditions allow for faster travel, potentially lowering your fare.
In cases of significant delays (e.g., due to traffic accidents or other disruptions), the driver and passenger can discuss alternative routes if needed. Please note that we expect passengers to avoid “backseat driving” and trust our drivers, who are trained to select the safest and most efficient routes. That said, we encourage open communication—our goal is always a smooth, safe journey for everyone.
Business Development and Expanded Operations
Neighborly Rideshare is thrilled to announce that we’re entering an exciting growth phase. Following a period of limited operations, we’re now preparing to expand our team and service area as we move toward the launch of Rideshare 3.0 in early 2025. We’ll be hiring additional drivers and expanding our services within Bloomington-Normal and beyond, allowing us to better serve our community.
Updated Terms of Service and Fee Structure
Please note that all standard Neighborly Rideshare fees (e.g., wait-time fees, late cancellation fees, no-show fees, same-day rescheduling fees, etc) will continue to apply, in line with our terms of service. For Premium customers, certain perks may help offset these charges. We implement these fees to maintain fairness and reliability for both our drivers and customers, and we ask that you respect these policies as part of our shared commitment to quality service.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to serving you with enhanced features and expanded service in the coming months. Stay tuned for more updates!
Regards,
The Neighborly Rideshare Team
Important Service Update 10/28/24
**Effective Immediately**
Service Update Announcement
Hi Neighbors!
We’re writing to let you know about some upcoming changes to our Premium service offerings and fees. We are committed to improving your experience and ensuring our offerings meet your needs. Here are the updates:
Premium Features We Are Sunsetting
Trivia Play
Trivia Play will be temporarily unavailable. But don't worry—it's planned to return in a refreshed form within our Neighborly Rideshare iOS/Android app!Playlist Control
This feature will no longer be available as we focus on enhancing other in-app experiences.Breakfast Bar and Beverage
We’re saying goodbye to the Breakfast Bar and Beverage service. Thank you for making it a part of your routine with us!
Other Service Updates
Updated Online Pricing Rate Chart
We've made adjustments to our pricing rate chart online to ensure transparency and clarity in our pricing.Weekend Fee Reduction
Good news! The weekend fee has been reduced to just $0.50 to make your weekend travels more affordable.
New Terms
Same-Day Rescheduling Fee (Previously Late Rescheduling Fee)
The rescheduling fee has been renamed to reflect greater flexibility for same-day adjustments.
Thank you for your continued trust in us. We’re always here to make your experience better. If you have any questions about these changes, feel free to reach out to our support team.
Warm regards,
The Neighborly Rideshare Team