New Rideshare App YUR Launches in NYC with No Surge Pricing and Bigger Driver Payouts

If you’ve ever felt like surge pricing squeezes riders while undercutting your bottom line as a driver, a new app coming to New York City might catch your attention.

YUR Drivers Network, a new ride-hailing platform created by New York native and longtime entrepreneur Louis Paulucci, officially hit the streets on July 1, launching in four of the five NYC boroughs (Staten Island is expected to follow soon).

Backed by insights Paulucci gathered after personally completing more than 1,700 trips as a driver, YUR is positioning itself as a fairer alternative to the major rideshare companies. “Drivers are running on fumes, feeling exploited, while passengers are frustrated by surge pricing and a lack of transparency,” Paulucci told Time Out New York. “It became clear: The rideshare industry needs a fundamental shift towards fairness for everyone involved.”

What Makes YUR Different?

Unlike other apps that change fare prices based on traffic or demand, YUR promises no surge pricing—ever. Whether it’s rush hour or a rainy Friday night, riders pay a flat rate. For drivers, the platform claims to offer one of the highest earnings percentages in the business: up to 71% of each fare, plus an additional 5% for referrals.

That referral program stands out: if you invite a rider or another driver to the app, you’ll earn 5% of their future rides in perpetuity. That revenue goes straight to your in-app wallet—usable for rides or cash withdrawal. Paulucci calls it “a cash register constantly ringing for you.”

Safety Tech Built In

YUR is also leaning heavily into driver and passenger safety. All participating drivers are licensed by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission and operate TLC-approved vehicles. Each must also complete an in-app biometric ID scan before starting a ride. Once verified, riders receive a real-time confirmation that their driver’s identity has been authenticated. As Paulucci puts it, “It’s like having a digital doorman.”

Smaller Fleet, Bigger Vision

YUR will launch with around 250 drivers, a relatively small number in a city used to tens of thousands of rideshare cars. But that limited rollout is intentional—designed to ensure quality, gather community feedback, and prove the platform’s value to both riders and drivers.

To sweeten the deal, riders get 10% off their first ride during launch week.

A Fairer Platform, or Just Another App?

Paulucci isn’t pretending the road ahead is easy—New York City isn’t always quick to embrace change. But he’s banking on transparency, steady pricing, and stronger driver support to help YUR stand out.

For drivers tired of chasing bonuses, managing fluctuating rates, and watching commissions get sliced thin, YUR might offer a breath of fresh air.

Source: Timeout