A new Dearborn-based rideshare service with safety in mind has launched in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties.
Founders of the company say Zoom Ride was designed to fill gaps in the current ride-share marketplace by improving customer and driver safety and satisfaction, as well as offering increased income for drivers.
“The uniqueness of our services and safety measures supersede what is currently offered in the marketplace,” says Bilal Hashwi, co-founder and chairman. “We have developed the most comprehensive ride-share app and service in the industry. We did it with input and assistance from current rideshare drivers and riders to deliver the ultimate ride experience.
“For example, via the Zoom Ride app, female passengers now have the capability directly in the palm of their hands to request female drivers. Users will also find comfort in knowing that they may contact a company representative through our 24/7 call center, which provides live operator assistance for both the passenger and the driver. Also, loved ones will be able to track a passenger’s travels from beginning to end for added safety and security.”
Zoom Ride has invested in protective products to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including motion activated UVC vehicle sanitizing lights, which turn on and off to sanitize between rides; sneeze guards; and masks.
More than 700 drivers have signed up for Zoom Ride prior to launch. About 350 have been screened and approved so far through the company’s background and document verification process.
Riders and drivers also have access to a panic button. Once activated, live audio and video from inside the car are streamed to the Zoom Ride security team. Passengers can add drivers to a favorites list so their requests are dispatched to drivers on this list first.
Zoom Ride’s app displays photos and first names of both the driver and rider for safety, and users can schedule rides for family members or friends who don’t have the app. There is also a language preference setting so passengers can match with drivers who can communicate most effectively with them, subject to drivers’ abilities.
Riders can also book by the hour and request multiple stops.
Drivers can earn 50-70 percent more than drivers with other ride share services, according to the founders. For a limited time, passengers using the code ZOOM100 can receive $100 in free ride credit. More information is available here.
“Within a 24-hour period, Zoom Ride drivers have the option to choose either to pay Zoom Ride a percent of their earnings – ideal for part-time drivers – or a daily driving fee and keep everything else they earn minus insurance cost, perfect for full-time drivers,” Hashwi says.
Hashwi is a former benchmarking program manager for Ford Motor Co. and senior engineer at Magna International. He has also worked for Delphi Automotive and Visteon.
Basel AlYasin, co-founder and CEO, is former head of Panasonic Qatar NAS Group, and has also served as a manager at LG Electronics Levant and as a product manager for LG Electronics Saudi.
Zoom Ride launched a test in the area in October 2019. The app is available in the App Store and Google Play Store.
