Fare Co-op’s Rapid Rise to America’s 3rd Largest Fully Licensed Rideshare
In less than a year, Fare Co-op has done what many thought impossible, secured a place alongside Uber and Lyft as the only rideshare companies licensed to operate in three or more US states.
The driver-owned federated cooperative has expanded beyond its California roots, officially launching in Georgia and Florida after securing full state licences. By doing so, it’s carved out a firm spot as the nation’s 3rd fully licensed and insured rideshare service, shaking up an industry long dominated by Wall Street-backed giants.
Fare Co-op’s business model is built around one principle: the drivers own the platform. With profits flowing back to the people on the road rather than corporate shareholders, the cooperative’s rapid expansion speaks volumes about what can be achieved when those creating the value have a real stake in the business.
Breaking into Airports and Iconic Locations
Securing airport access has been a significant milestone for the cooperative. Fare Co-op now holds permits at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Long Beach Airport (LGB), with operations at LGB officially starting on 1 August 2025. San Francisco International Airport is also on the horizon.
Earlier this year, the cooperative announced exclusive partnerships with Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre and TCL Chinese Theatre, two of Los Angeles’ most recognisable landmarks. These agreements, due to go live in the autumn, are expected to cement Fare Co-op’s position as a premium rideshare choice for tourists, event-goers, and locals alike.
Celebrating Milestones in Style
Momentum reached a celebratory high with the inaugural 777 BBQ in San Mateo on 5 August 2025, an event marking three major achievements: 7,000 customers, 7,000 drivers, and 7,000 total rides in California. Sponsored by Saba Farm, the gathering brought together hundreds of drivers, their families, and loyal customers.
Organised by Bay Area President and co-founder Malek Nasher, who was also appointed CEO of Fare Co-op’s new buying group for drivers, the event was more than just a party. It was a statement of collective achievement and proof that community-driven models can scale quickly and sustainably.
Over the past nine months, Fare Co-op’s leadership team has built an extensive network of chapters across California, laying down the operational foundations and drafting bylaws in preparation for the cooperative’s first Annual General Meeting.
The Referral Revolution Driving Growth
One of the core forces behind Fare Co-op’s rapid rise is its innovative referral programme. This initiative allocates 25% of net profits directly to referrals, allowing both drivers and riders to earn lifetime commissions for bringing new members into the fold.
This model flips traditional rideshare growth strategies on their head. Instead of pouring money into faceless advertising campaigns, Fare Co-op rewards the very people who use and support its services. In California alone, the programme has helped the cooperative surpass 7,000 total rides, a testament to the power of community-based marketing.
Oregon and Arizona Next
The growth story doesn’t stop here. Fare Co-op has set its sights on Oregon and Arizona, with launches scheduled in the coming weeks.
These expansions will extend its driver-owned model into new markets, further proving that this is no small-scale experiment. Rather, it’s a blueprint for a nationwide shift in how rideshare can be structured and operated.
New Initiatives for Drivers and Communities
The 777 BBQ wasn’t just a celebration, it was a platform for unveiling three new initiatives designed to empower drivers and diversify the cooperative’s offerings:
- Rideshare Car Rental Programme – Affordable, driver-first rental options designed to replace costly corporate schemes.
- Driver & Business Buying Group – A cooperative purchasing power model where members vote on the products they want, from vehicle parts to safety equipment, helping cut costs significantly.
- FareEats – An upcoming food delivery platform with a business membership fee as low as 5%—a fraction of the 20–35% charged by competitors—ensuring drivers keep 90% of delivery fees.
These initiatives not only increase earning potential for drivers but also embed Fare Co-op more deeply into the communities it serves.
Leadership Vision and the Future of Driverless Vehicles
AJ Attia, Chairman of Fare Co-op, summed up the achievement and ambition driving the cooperative forward: “In just nine months, Fare Co-op has risen to become America’s 3rd largest rideshare company, something no other startup, cooperative or corporate, has ever achieved. By giving drivers 85% of profits, ending surge pricing, saving riders 20% on average, and fueling growth with a referral program that shares 25% of net profits, we’ve turned vision into reality. And soon, through our cooperative model, drivers will even own the very driverless vehicles that were meant to replace them. This is proof that drivers can build, own, and scale a national rideshare movement.”
This vision is a bold counterpoint to industry narratives that often see automation as a threat to human drivers. Fare Co-op’s approach ensures that even as technology evolves, the benefits remain in the hands of the people powering the system.
A New Standard for Rideshare
Founded in 2021, Fare Co-op has built a model where drivers receive up to 85% of profits from each fare, with additional revenues reinvested into members and their local communities.
Operating now in California, Georgia, and Florida, with more states on the way, the cooperative is challenging the industry’s profit-first mindset.
With its blend of competitive pricing, profit-sharing, and genuine community investment, Fare Co-op is demonstrating that rideshare can be fair, sustainable, and driver-owned, all while growing at a pace that rivals the biggest players in the game.
