🇺🇸 · Applies to US only · Click here for Canada version
Poparide is a non-commercial, cost-sharing platform. We are not a transportation network company (TNC), a taxi, or a commercial service like Uber or Lyft. This means:
Drivers do not provide custom services (such as door-to-door pick-ups or detours).
Members share trips that drivers were already planning to take, with passengers contributing to travel costs.
There are three key differences between Poparide and Uber/Lyft:
1. Driver vs. passenger directed and scheduling
Poparide trips are driver-directed and prescheduled, meaning the driver decides on the origin, destination, schedule, pick-up and drop-off locations and post a trip well in advance based on their own schedule.
Uber trips are last-minute and passenger-directed, meaning passengers hail a ride in real-time (like a taxi) and the driver comes to them immediately.
2. Carpooling vs. driving for profit
Poparide drivers share the cost of a trip they were already planning to take by offering empty seats to passengers heading in the same direction.
Uber employs Uber drivers who earn a wage to drive people on demand.
3. Intercity travel vs. travel within a city
Poparide helps people organize medium to long-distance trips between cities, usually a few days in advance.
Uber operates inside the city in real-time, much like a taxi.
See our blog post: Uber and Lyft are not ridesharing for more information.
Tip: You can use Uber or Lyft to travel to the pickup location for your Poparide trip, or to get home from your Poparide drop-off location.