The Rise of Juno- by exploiting Uber's weakeness

Ever Hear of Juno? (the new and possibly better Uber)

Rideshare apps are nothing new and neither is pre arranged transportation via the use of smartphone. But more and more over the past few months, one name is coming to prominence, outside of the traditional news media. Try to google Juno and you won't find much at all. Trying downloading the app on the Apple app store and you can't. BUT, if you take a ride with an Uber driver, you may get the opportunity to learn about and try a new service that is, for the most part, just as good as Uber and cheaper than Uber. The name of the company is Juno

Unfortunately, when my "go to" car services are not available, I have no choice but to use Uebr or Left (much to my dismay) and while on route, the driver asked if I heard of Juno. I said "no" and then the driver proceeded to tell me about the company and asked if I wanted to try it. I said "sure". I then looked on the Apple app store and it was not there. The driver said it was by invite only. So he asked for my cell # and immediately sent me a link (while at a stoplight, of course). The link then allowed me to download the app and almost immediately gave me all the same info as Uber (map of when I was, location of other cars around me, time for other vehicles to get to me if I booked and the prices). I then compared the prices to Uber for the same trip I was then currently taking and it was cheaper. so I then entered a test trip to Uber with a pick up and drop off location to check the price and did the same for Juno....and again Juno was cheaper. So I said to the driver, what is the deal, why should I use Juno. He really didn't say much other than its another source for him to be able to get jobs AND a means by which I can also obtain transportation (i.e. another Uber alternative).

So after the ride my interest was piqued. I did some research and fund that Juno is paying drivers in NYC drivers a set amount per week (and sometimes an added fee for each person that downloads the app, such as via the referral code sent to me by the driver I described above) just to carry the Juno devices around while they’re working for other apps (Uber, Lyft, Gett, etc). Apparently, they will be launching at some point very soon.

Juno has supposedly raised ‘8 digit funding’, secured a 10,000 square foot building in NYC and supposedly have 100 people working for them across the globe. So while you can't find much about them visa the internet, they are most definitely a very real company.

Juno Wants To Treat Drivers Better

Obviously this is the part that stood out to me since we all know how Uber treats drivers like cattle or any other disposable commodities. Uber driver want change but are virtually powerless to do anything about Uber. So this is where the alternative comes in that is making driver salivate:

Here’s what Juno is is believed to be planning on doing for its drivers:

• Higher Pay: Juno may be cheaper now, but at the moment any rides the driver gets from Juno is added money because it is being used simply as a supplement to the money they already receive from Uber....and an opportunity to make more money during downtime......In the long run, Juno is unlikely to try to compete on price with Uber and Lyft. They will distinguish themselves with superior service. 
• 10% Commission: Compared to Uber’s 20-30%, a 10% commission is very reasonable...and even if the fare is lower, a lower percentage for the driver to pay Juno on a lower fare still results in more money to the driver.
• 24/7 Customer Service For Drivers and Passengers: Yes, Juno will have an actual phone line with a human being on the other end who you’ll be able to call in and talk to. No more inability to contact Uber or endless e-mail exchanges with outsourced CS reps
• In-app tipping: Drivers have been begging Uber for an in app tipping option and those requests have clearly fallen on deaf ears. Juno plans on allowing tips for drivers.
• Contractors or Employees: One simple way to avoid getting sued is to allow drivers to be employees or independent contractors and that’s exactly what Juno plans on doing.
• Equity For Drivers: Juno will reserve 50% of its founding shares for drivers. That doesn’t mean drivers will get half of the company but it will be a sizable chunk and drivers will be subject to the same dilution as the founders.

Those things all sound great on the surface, but what stands out to me is that they address a lot of the major pain points Uber drivers have with the company. Juno has clearly done their homework and are looking to take advantage of Uber’s biggest weaknesses.....and if we are all lucky, for the sake of competition, lack of Uber dominance and a chance to compete on the merits, Juno will have a fighting chance to get some marketshare and give Uber a run for its money.

Check them out....what do you have to lose?