YourRide rebrands to highlight safety & sustainability

YourRide, a New Zealand-based transport app, has marked over 10 years of operation in the local transport tech industry.

The journey of YourRide began in 2013 under the name Zoomy, entering the market before international competitors such as Uber. It has now established itself as New Zealand's leading taxi app with coverage nationwide. The company has always prioritised safety and sustainability, aiming to offer a transport solution that aligns with ethical business practices.

Supported by TaxiCharge and fully Kiwi-owned, YourRide underwent a major rebranding in September 2023. This was part of an effort to highlight its distinguishing features within the transport tech industry, emphasising its focus on professional and secure services governed locally.

Conrad Heaven, Chief Marketing Officer of YourRide, stated, "Our platform supports full-time, police-vetted drivers working with licensed taxi operators, delivering smarter, safer, and more sustainable trips. Our tech is on par with anything global."

The company's initial foray into modernising taxi bookings was through enhancing technology in an industry heavily reliant on traditional phone dispatch systems. In 2016, YourRide experimented with the rideshare model amidst competitive market dynamics. The arrival of companies like Ola in 2018 highlighted the challenges posed by competitive pricing, prompting a strategic pivot. In 2020, Zoomy's assets were sold to TaxiCharge, setting the stage for its relaunch as YourRide in 2023.

"We've taken what worked—convenient tech, seamless booking, a sleek UX—and applied it to a model that's stable, fair, and future-proof," Heaven explained, showcasing the company's return to its roots as a professional booking platform tailored for registered taxi partners.

YourRide distinguishes itself through its nationwide coverage and commitment to safety, sustaining a fleet equipped with surveillance cameras and employing only full-time police-vetted drivers. It offers significant advantages for drivers with a lower commission rate of 4–7%, compared to the typical 28% on rideshare platforms. Additionally, YourRide strongly emphasises sustainability, with 90% of its vehicles being late-model hybrids, and reinvesting profits locally.

Targeting primarily business clients, YourRide integrates its services with TaxiCharge to provide seamless work travel solutions, reporting, and voucher facilities. Its locally supported customer service and driver network further underscore its commitment to the New Zealand market.

Unlike many rideshare models that depend on casual drivers, YourRide operates a co-operative structure where many drivers own a stake in the business. This approach is credited with improving service quality, greater accountability, and stronger community ties.

Heaven commented on the service's B2B focus, "We've designed YourRide for professionals who care about more than just price. It's about safety, consistency, and supporting local. Choosing YourRide means making a better choice for your team—and for New Zealand." This reflects a commitment to meet the transport needs of corporate clients, government agencies, and not-for-profits through features like trip tracking, pre-booking, and in-app payment options.

YourRide emphasises its commitment to Kiwi communities by working exclusively with local taxi partners and ensuring funds benefit the regions in which it operates. "When you take a YourRide, you're supporting a local driver, business, and economy," Heaven added. "We're not here to extract—we're here to contribute." This model proves particularly beneficial in regional and smaller towns where rideshare services are less available.

YourRide is positioning itself as a transport partner for businesses prioritising ethical procurement and sustainability. The company maintains transparency in driver payments, vehicle tracking, and emissions management. The company offers a transport solution mindful of the growing business emphasis on trust, traceability, and supporting local enterprises, ensuring a ride that aligns with modern values.