A newer rideshare platform is now operating in Houston, giving drivers another option beyond the traditional Uber and Lyft model. Empower confirmed it launched service in both Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area during April, expanding the company’s footprint to eight metro markets nationwide.
For many rideshare drivers, the bigger story is not simply another app entering the market. The company says its business structure gives operators more control over pricing and earnings compared to the systems used by larger rideshare platforms.
How Empower’s Driver Pay Model Works
Unlike Uber and Lyft, Empower says drivers pay a subscription fee to access the platform instead of giving the company a percentage of every ride. According to the company, Houston drivers currently pay either $14.99 per week or $29.99 per month to use the service while keeping the full amount charged to riders.
Many app-based drivers continue expressing frustration about fluctuating payouts, rising platform fees, and trip pricing that can feel unpredictable from one ride to the next. Lyft says its platform fee is capped at 30% of monthly passenger payments, while Uber says its fees can vary depending on demand, incentives, and trip conditions.
Empower compared its system to reservation platforms used by restaurants, arguing that drivers, not riders, are the company’s primary customers.
“Drivers, not riders, are our customers, just like restaurants, not diners, are OpenTable’s customers,” Empower said in a statement. “Just like a restaurant owner using OpenTable’s software and services sets the prices on their menu and gets 100% of what they charge diners, a driver using our software and services sets their own prices and gets 100% of what they charge their riders.”
Houston’s Rideshare Market Continues Getting More Competitive
The Houston transportation market has become increasingly crowded as more rideshare and autonomous vehicle services continue entering the region.
Alongside Uber and Lyft, riders in parts of Houston now also have access to Waymo autonomous vehicles and Tesla’s robotaxi service operating in limited areas. Growing competition could eventually affect pricing, ride availability, driver demand, and rider expectations throughout the market.
Empower also says riders can favorite specific drivers and request rides directly from preferred operators. For many drivers, that feature may stand out because it creates the possibility of building repeat rider relationships instead of relying entirely on random dispatches through the platform.
The company did not provide details about how many active operators currently use the platform in Houston or the full geographic boundaries of the operating area.
Regulatory Questions Continue Following the Company
Although Empower continues expanding into new cities, the company has also faced legal and regulatory scrutiny in other markets.
According to previous reporting, regulators in Washington issued cease-and-desist actions against the company tied to licensing requirements involving rideshare operations.
Empower has argued that it operates as a software platform rather than a traditional rideshare company and therefore should not fall under the same licensing structure.
The disagreement remains part of a larger conversation surrounding how newer transportation platforms are regulated as rideshare technology and autonomous vehicle services continue evolving.
For rideshare drivers in Houston, the launch adds another option to a market that is already changing rapidly as companies continue experimenting with different pay structures, subscription systems, and rider matching models.
The ProDriverPoint editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content for bus, motorcoach, chauffeur, and passenger transport professionals. Each article is built to reflect real-world experiences, industry updates, and insights drivers can actually use on the job.
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Source: Houston Chronicle
Customer Reviews
Thanks for submitting your comment!