A group of tech entrepreneurs, engineers and community leaders are offering up a new ride-hailing service that will launch in June.
RideAustin, unveiled on Monday, aims to fill the gap created when Uber and Lyft left the city after Austinites voted against Proposition 1 on May 7. The new service will fully comply with the City of Austin’s requirements for fingerprint background checks.
Initially, rides will only be available in downtown and airport areas but will expand to other parts of the city as the number of drivers increases, according to Joe Liemandt, leader of the app’s developers. Liemandt, in a recent interview with the Austin American Statesman, said Ride Austin will ensure the level of coverage customers grew to expect from Uber and Lyft.
Rates will fall between Uber and Lyft prices and what GetMe and cabs charge, according to an Austin American-Statesman report.
RideAustin will allow riders to round up their fares to the nearest dollar and the difference will be donated to a charity of their choice, Joe Deshotel, RideAustin director of communications, told Digital Trends.
Deshotel also said the organization’s nonprofit status allows for better pay for drivers while maintaining affordable prices.
The mobile app was launched today for Apple and a version for Android will be available next month.