Fee & Policy Reinforcement Update 10/23/25

Hi Neighbor,

We’d like to take a moment to clarify and reinforce some of our standard service fees and accountability policies. These fees are not new — they’ve been part of our online advertisements and Terms & Conditions since day one.

However, we’ve been lenient at times, especially during our app’s beta phase when some fee tracking wasn’t as consistent as we would have liked.

Please know that these fees aren’t about unnecessary charges — they’re about fairness and accountability, ensuring our drivers are respected for their time and that our community members who plan ahead and arrive on time enjoy a smooth, reliable experience.

🚕 Fee Schedule & Reinforcement

⏱ Wait-Time Fee

  • Free for the first 3 minutes

  • $0.60 per minute thereafter

  • Automatically tracked in the NRS App

  • For non-app users, time will be manually calculated and added at ride completion

Example:
If your driver arrives at 7:00 AM and you come outside at 7:05 AM, the first 3 minutes are free — you’ll be charged for the 2 extra minutes ($1.20 total).

❌ Late Cancellation Fee – $5 (Previously $7)

  • Applies to cancellations made after the cutoff window (for most rides, within 1 hour of pickup)

  • Enforced automatically in the NRS App

  • Non-app users will receive an invoice via text

Example:
If your ride is scheduled for 3:00 PM and you cancel at 2:40 PM, the $5 late cancellation fee applies because it’s less than one hour before pickup.

🔁 Same-Day Rescheduling Fee – $0.50 per reschedule

  • Applies when modifying a Ride Later or Ride Weekly appointment less than 12 hours before pickup

  • Same-day Ride Later appointments can be rescheduled within 1 hour (with the applicable fee)

Example:
If you scheduled a Ride Later at 8:00 AM for 6:00 PM but decide at 2:30 PM to move it to 7:00 PM, that reschedule will incur a $0.50 fee.

🛑 Last-Minute Stop Requests

On the Beat and Path (On the Way Of Your Original Route):
$1 per added stop + any applicable wait-time fees

Off the Beat and Path (Out of the Way Of Your Original Route):
Charged per minute for the additional travel duration + applicable wait-time fees

Examples:

  • On the Beat & Path: You’re headed from Downtown Bloomington to Hy-Vee on East Empire, and ask to stop at Walgreens along the same route — that’s a $1 fee plus any wait-time if you take longer than 3 minutes.

  • Off the Beat & Path: If you ask your driver to make an unplanned stop off route, like swinging to Normal to drop off a friend before heading to your destination, the off-route minutes will be charged based on the current rate.

🚫 No-Show Cancellation Fee – $7

  • Applied if a rider is not present at the pickup location without prior notice

  • Three (3) no-shows within one calendar year may result in a temporary service suspension

Example:
If your ride is scheduled for 8:30 AM and the driver waits 10 minutes without seeing you or hearing back, a $7 no-show fee applies. After 3 such instances in a year, your account may be paused for 30 days.

🕐 Driver Delays and Missed Ride Accountability

Fairness goes both ways. We hold our team accountable too. Discounts or ride credits will only be considered if:

  • A driver misses a prescheduled appointment and dispatch fails to notify the user in a timely manner.

  • A driver is more than 10 minutes late for a prescheduled appointment and dispatch does not notify the user of the delay.

Example:
If your ride is set for 6:00 AM and your driver arrives at 6:15 AM without any prior dispatch notice, you may be eligible for a partial credit or discount upon review.

This ensures fairness, communication, and transparency across both riders and drivers.

📋 Important Notes

  • All Neighborly Rideshare drivers and dispatch staff are trained to consistently enforce these policies — whether your ride is completed through the NRS App or checked out manually via Square POS.

  • Non-app rides are time-stamped and tracked through our dispatch system, and all applicable fees are shared with riders for full transparency.

  • If you believe a fee was calculated incorrectly, please contact our dispatch team at 833-443-2863.

Please be ready and on time for your appointments. Drivers only begin wait time upon arrival at your pickup location.

Per our Terms & Conditions, drivers are allowed a 10-minute arrival window to account for traffic, construction, or other safety-related delays.

💛 Thank You, Neighbor!

We deeply appreciate your understanding and continued support as we grow and improve our systems.

Your proactiveness helps us keep rides on time, fair, and dependable for our entire community.

— The Neighborly Rideshare Team
📞 833-443-2863
🌐 www.neighborlyrideshare.com

Fare Update – Starting August 25, 2025

Hi Neighbors,

We want to let you know about an upcoming adjustment to our standard rideshare fares. Beginning tomorrow, August 25, 2025, our base fare between 6 AM and 6 PM will increase by $0.05 per minute.

This small adjustment helps us keep pace with rising market costs while ensuring a fair balance between driver earnings and customer pricing.

Here’s what’s changing:

  • 6 AM – 6 PM: $1.00 per minute → $1.05 per minute

We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we work to provide reliable rides and fair pay for our drivers.

Thank you for riding with us!

New Temporary Hours of Operation May 1st, 2025 until further notice

Hi Neighbors,

Until we receive the green light to bring on new drivers, Neighborly Rideshare will be operating with temporary, limited hours. We appreciate your understanding and support during this time!

New Operating Hours:
Monday–Sunday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Please note: Ride requests outside of these hours will only be available for Rideshare Premium customers.

Thank you for riding with us!
— The Neighborly Team

🚨 Massive Service Update: Neighborly Rideshare App Release + Key Policy Changes-February 2025

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