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Please read carefully the following Terms of Service upon which Poparide offers you access and use of our Service. This includes important information about your legal rights, remedies, and obligations as well as certain exclusions and limitations of our liability.
These Terms of Service apply to all services provided by Poparide US, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Poparide", "we", "us", or "our"). Poparide US, Inc. provides an online platform under the brand "Poparide" which connects Drivers with empty seats in their vehicle with Passengers seeking to share that Trip and contribute to the Driver's costs (the "Service"), available at www.poparide.com and any mobile applications through which Poparide makes the Service available. By creating an Account, you affirmatively agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. You will be asked to confirm your acceptance by checking a box or clicking an acceptance button during Account registration. In addition, each time you post a Trip as a Driver or submit a Booking request as a Passenger, you re-confirm your agreement to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not create an Account or use the Service. You must have a registered Account to use the Service. The Service is a platform through which Drivers and Passengers arrange Trips for Carpooling directly with each other in a strictly non-commercial context. By using the Service you confirm that Poparide is in no way a party to any agreements entered into between Drivers and Passengers, has no control over the conduct of Drivers, Passengers, or Members, is not an insurer, agent, or broker, and you disclaim us of all liability in this regard to the maximum extent permitted by law.
• A "Member" is a Driver, a Passenger, both, or any other registered user of the Service.
• A "Driver" is a person using the Service and offering spare seats in their vehicle to share with other Passengers.
• A "Passenger" is a person using the Service and Booking seats in a Driver's vehicle.
• An "Account" is created by a Member to access the Service.
• A "Trip" occurs between an origin and a destination at a given date and time, created and maintained by a Driver.
• A "Booking" refers to the act of paying the Contribution for a Trip through the Service before the Trip happens.
• A "Contribution" or "Trip Contribution" is a sum of money paid by the Passenger to the Driver to cover the costs of a Trip. A Contribution may not accrue profit for the Driver and is subject to the platform price cap (see Section 5.1).
• A "Booking Fee" is a service fee added on top of a Contribution and paid by the Passenger at the time of Booking.
• A "Payment" is the total amount paid by a Passenger when Booking (Contribution + Booking Fee).
• A "Payout" is the Contribution amount accrued from Bookings on a Trip and sent to the Driver using their Payout method, after the clearing period and any deductions.
• A "Payout Fee" is a service fee deducted from a Driver's Payout.
• The "Cancellation Allowance" is the ability for Drivers to cancel a maximum of one Trip with approved Passengers or one approved Booking every six months, as set out in the current Driver Cancellation Policy.
• "Carpooling" refers to sharing a Trip among a Driver and Passenger(s) in exchange for a Contribution.
Poparide reserves the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. For material changes, we will provide reasonable advance notice by email to your registered address and by posting the updated Terms within the Service with a prominent notice. We will also update the "Last Updated" date at the top of these Terms of Service. Your continued use of the Service after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If the modified Terms are not acceptable to you, your only recourse is to cease using the Service.
We ask Members to verify their Account through their email or phone number. We do not investigate any Member's reputation, conduct, morality, criminal background, or any other information posted on the Service. You are responsible for exercising common sense and determining the suitability of other Members. We encourage you to communicate directly with potential Drivers or Passengers through the Service and to take the same precautions you would when meeting a person for the first time.
You are solely responsible for your interactions with other Members. We will not be responsible for any damage or harm resulting from your interactions with other Members. We reserve the right to monitor interactions and restrict access to any Member who is posting material we consider objectionable.
To access and use the Service you must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into binding contracts. By accessing or using the Service you represent and warrant that you are 18 or older. The Service is not directed at and may not be used by persons under 18.
AS A PASSENGER, YOU AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY TRIP OR CARPOOL THAT YOU BOOK, PARTICIPATE IN, OR RECEIVE THROUGH THE SERVICE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND SOLE RESPONSIBILITY. YOU ASSUME ALL RISK FOR ANY TRIP THAT YOU BOOK AND PARTICIPATE IN, INCLUDING THE RISK OF HARM, LOSS, PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. POPARIDE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOSS, DAMAGE, INJURY, OR HARM THAT MAY ARISE AS A RESULT OF ANY TRIP OR DRIVER CONDUCT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH TRIP WAS ARRANGED THROUGH THE SERVICE.
AS A DRIVER, YOU AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY TRIP YOU OFFER OR PROVIDE THROUGH THE SERVICE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND SOLE RESPONSIBILITY. YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF YOUR VEHICLE, THE SAFETY OF YOUR PASSENGERS, AND ANY HARM, LOSS, DAMAGE, OR INJURY ARISING DURING OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRIP YOU POST, AND POPARIDE BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER FOR ANY SUCH HARM, LOSS, DAMAGE, OR INJURY.
As our Service is a facilitator, in the event of a dispute between you and another Member, you release us (and our affiliates, officers, directors, and agents) from claims, demands, and damages of any kind and nature, known and unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with such disputes, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
As a Member of this Service, you must act responsibly and exercise good judgment. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Driving carefully, respecting the rules of the road, not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and not violating any applicable laws or regulations
2. Not infringing the rights of any third party, including intellectual property, privacy, publicity, or contractual rights
3. Not using information obtained through this Service for any unauthorized purpose
4. Not interfering with or damaging the Service
5. Not using this Service to distribute spam or unsolicited messages
6. Respecting other Members and Poparide staff: no harassment, abuse (verbal or physical), or stalking is tolerated
7. Not using the Service for commercial activities
8. Not registering to the Service on behalf of another individual
9. Being at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into binding contracts
10. Not assisting any third party in doing any of the above
If you feel that another Member has acted inappropriately — including offensive, violent, or sexually inappropriate behavior — you must immediately report such person to the appropriate authorities and to us at support@poparide.com. Your report does not obligate us to take any action or cause us to incur any liability.
Members and any other occupants are prohibited from carrying firearms, ammunition, or weapons of any kind while using the Service, to the extent permitted by applicable law. The only exception is the transport of a firearm in compliance with Transportation Security Administration rules for transporting firearms and ammunition: the firearm must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container stored in the vehicle's trunk or cargo area, and all components (including magazines, clips, ammunition, bolts, and firing pins) must also be stored in the trunk or cargo area. Violation of this policy may result in immediate Account deactivation.
The Service is strictly limited to Drivers and Passengers Carpooling in a private, non-commercial capacity. Drivers may not profit from any Trip. The Contribution may only be used to recover the Driver's actual costs and may not generate any profit.
The platform enforces a maximum per-Passenger Contribution rate that is set below the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate (as published annually by the Internal Revenue Service). Trip distance is calculated by the platform using its routing system based on the pick-up and drop-off locations posted by the Driver. When posting a Trip, the Driver selects a per-Passenger Contribution within a range set by the platform, up to but not exceeding the platform maximum. Drivers cannot override or circumvent this cap. No more than three (3) Passengers may be booked through the Service on any single Trip segment. Drivers may not receive more from Passengers than their actual cost of travel for the Trip, regardless of any private agreement between Driver and Passenger.
All Trips and pick-up and drop-off points must be pre-agreed through the Service. Drivers may NOT post Trips speculatively. Drivers can only post Trips if they are 100% certain of when and where they are traveling. Drivers are reminded that using the Service in a commercial or professional capacity may invalidate their personal automobile insurance. Any breach of these Terms of Service may result in immediate suspension of a Member's Account.
Poparide does not provide transportation services. The Service is an online platform through which Members connect to arrange Carpooling directly with each other. Poparide does not interfere with Trips, destinations, or timings. The agreement for Carpooling is solely between the Driver and the Passenger. Poparide is not a party to any agreement between Members and is not liable in respect of any matter relating to a Booking between Members. Poparide is not and will not act as an agent, broker, carrier, or transportation network company for any Member.
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT UNDER TEXAS LAW, POPARIDE IS NOT A "TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY" WITHIN THE MEANING OF CHAPTER 2402 OF THE TEXAS OCCUPATIONS CODE BECAUSE (A) THE SERVICE FACILITATES SHARED EXPENSE CARPOOL ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF TEX. OCC. CODE §2402.001(5)(C), AND (B) THE FEE RECEIVED BY ANY DRIVER DOES NOT EXCEED THE DRIVER'S COSTS OF PROVIDING THE TRIP WITHIN THE MEANING OF TEX. OCC. CODE §2402.001(5)(D)(i). POPARIDE DOES NOT OPERATE AS A TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY AND IS NOT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN A TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY PERMIT UNDER SUCH RULES OR APPLICABLE LAW.
Each Member must create an Account to access the Service. To create an Account, you must:
1. Log in or register using your email and password, or via an approved OAuth method (such as Google, Facebook or Apple)
2. Verify your email address and maintain access to that email while using the Service
3. Verify your cell phone number and have access to receive calls and text messages
4. Provide your legal first name and last name
5. Provide a clear profile photo of yourself
6. Provide your age
7. Agree to these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy
You agree to provide accurate and true information and to keep it updated. You agree to be the sole owner of your Account and not to share access with anyone.
The eligibility of a Member to use the Carpool service is at Poparide's discretion. Poparide reserves the right to withdraw the Service from any Member at any time, with or without notice, for any reason.
Poparide reserves the right to: (i) withdraw the Service and restrict it to a subset of Members and/or destinations; and (ii) make exceptions to the policies of the Service at its sole discretion.
If a Driver agrees to, accepts, enables, or attempts to provide any arrangement or service outside of these Terms of Service — including additional services, unauthorized pick-up or drop-off points, delivery of goods, or requests for additional payment — Poparide reserves the right to issue a full or partial refund to the Passenger and/or withhold or reverse any pending Payouts from the Driver, even in instances where the Passenger initiated or contributed to the breach. The Driver, as the party with final authority to accept or decline a Booking, bears primary responsibility for ensuring the Trip adheres to these Terms.
The Driver proposes Trips on the Service by providing the origin and destination, date and time of departure, seats available, and any other relevant information. The Driver proposing a Trip must be the primary Driver and cannot delegate driving to another person without disclosing this to and obtaining prior agreement from all Passengers.
Poparide provides a messaging service to enable communication between Members. We do not allow the exchange of personal contact details (phone numbers, email addresses, URLs) through the messaging service until a Booking has been approved.
The Passenger may Book one or more seats only by performing an online Payment with a valid payment method. After a successful Booking, the Driver and Passenger are bound to that Booking and any cancellations are subject to the applicable cancellation policy referenced in Section 6.5.
• Request to Book: The Driver manually approves or declines each Booking request within a specified window (1–24 hours). The Passenger's card is only charged upon approval. If the Driver does not respond before the window expires, the request is voided and the Passenger is not charged. Passengers may withdraw a pending Booking request at no charge.
• Instant Book: Bookings on the Driver's Trip are automatically approved and the Passenger's card is charged immediately. Instant Book Bookings are final and subject to the applicable cancellation policy in Section 6.5.
All Payments and Payouts for Trips within the United States are processed in United States Dollars (USD).
All Payments must be processed online using Poparide's secure Payment service. Cash or payments outside of Poparide's secure payment service and any other online or offline forms of payment are not permitted and may lead to Account closure.
To collect Payments, the Service uses Stripe, Inc. ("Stripe"), a third-party secure online payment gateway. By using Poparide, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and authorize Poparide to act as a limited payment collection agent on behalf of Drivers. Once your money is processed with Stripe, it is safely kept in escrow with Stripe for Poparide.
Poparide collects a Booking Fee on each Booking. The Booking Fee is added on top of the Trip Contribution and is paid by the Passenger at the time of Booking and is non-refundable except as expressly provided in the applicable cancellation policy. The Booking Fee amount is displayed to the Passenger prior to confirming the Booking.
Members agree to respond to any demand from Poparide, Stripe, or any legal entity with respect to preventing or fighting fraud and/or money laundering, including supplying valid identification documents. Poparide reserves the right to freeze any funds owed and/or restrict access to the Service pending resolution of any fraud investigation.
Payouts to Drivers on the US Service are processed to a connected US bank account or supported US payment method. Poparide is not responsible for incorrectly entered Payout details; Payouts sent to erroneous accounts cannot be reversed.
After a Trip, the Payment made by a Passenger is held by Poparide for a clearing period during which Passengers may raise a dispute. The duration of the clearing period and the mechanics of payout processing are set out in the current Driver Payout Policy available in the Help Center. Poparide reserves the right to modify the clearing period and payout process at any time by updating the Driver Payout Policy. Once cleared, the Contribution portion (minus the Payout Fee) is sent to the Driver once per day.
In the scope of a Trip, the Driver must:
1. Arrive at the pick-up point five (5) minutes in advance
2. Before departure, inform Passengers of any modifications to Trip details that might affect them. If a Passenger refuses a change before departure, they are entitled to cancel their Booking without fees
3. Not leave the pick-up location before the agreed departure time, and make reasonable efforts to contact any missing Passengers before leaving
4. Be the main Driver
5. Drive the Passenger safely to the agreed destination
6. Not operate a commercial or for-profit service
Poparide reserves the right to refund a Passenger and/or close the Driver's Account and/or withhold any pending Payouts if the Driver fails to fulfill the above conditions on a Trip.
Poparide collects a Payout Fee on each Driver Payout. The Payout Fee is deducted from the Trip Contribution and withheld during the Payout process.
If a Driver does not have a valid Payout method entered, unclaimed funds will be handled in accordance with the current Driver Payout Policy and applicable law. Poparide will make reasonable efforts to contact the Driver before any funds are remitted to a state authority.
Contributions and other funds held by Poparide or its payment processor during the clearing period or pending resolution of a dispute do not accrue interest for the benefit of any Member. You agree that you have no right to receive interest or other earnings on funds held by Poparide or its payment processor at any time prior to Payout. This section does not limit any right to prejudgment or postjudgment interest that may be awarded by a court or arbitrator in connection with a legal claim.
Poparide's cancellation, no-show, and refund policies for both Drivers and Passengers are set out in the Help Center. These policies govern your rights and obligations in the event of a cancellation or no-show and are incorporated into these Terms by reference. The cancellation, no-show and refund terms that apply to a Booking are those in effect at the time the Booking is confirmed. Changes to the policies do not apply retroactively to Bookings confirmed before the change takes effect. Poparide reserves the right to modify these policies at any time by updating the relevant Help Center articles. For material changes to the policies, Poparide will provide reasonable advance notice by email or in-app notification before the change takes effect.
See the Driver Cancellation Policy, Passenger Cancellation Policy, and cancellation policies in the Help Center.
The cancellation, no-show, and refund policies will include, at minimum: (a) the cancellation windows and any associated fees for both Drivers and Passengers; (b) the refund amount or method for cancellations within and outside the cancellation window; (c) the consequences of a no-show by a Driver or Passenger; and (d) the process for submitting a refund request or dispute.
Poparide provides a platform dispute process through which Members may raise disputes regarding Bookings, Cancellations, or Payments within the window specified in the current Passenger Refund Policy. Payouts to Drivers are held pending resolution of any active dispute. This platform dispute process, once completed, constitutes the required informal resolution step before arbitration may be initiated under Section 10.5.
Poparide reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to issue full or partial refunds to Passengers and to withhold, reduce, or reverse pending Payouts to Drivers, outside the standard cancellation, no-show, and refund policies, in any situation where Poparide determines that a refund or adjustment is warranted. Circumstances in which Poparide may exercise this discretion include, but are not limited to: fraudulent or unauthorized payment activity; use of the Service for commercial transportation in violation of Section 5.1; material Booking errors; safety concerns reported by a Member; Driver conduct that violates these Terms or the Community Agreement; or circumstances where a Trip was not provided as described. The examples listed above are illustrative and do not limit Poparide's discretion.
Poparide's final determination, once made, constitutes completion of the platform dispute process described in Section 6.5 for purposes of Section 10.5.1. A Driver who disagrees with a discretionary Payout decision may proceed to arbitration under Section 10.5.2 after the platform dispute process is complete.
To use Poparide as a Driver, a Member must hold a full, non-expired Driver's License issued by a US state, Canadian province, or other jurisdiction recognized under applicable US law, that matches the name provided in their Poparide account, and be legally authorized to drive in the United States. Learner's, restricted, or provisional licenses are not accepted. Poparide may suspend a Driver's Account at any time if they do not meet our Driver's License requirements.
The Driver must hold valid personal automobile insurance meeting or exceeding the minimum liability requirements of the state in which the Trip originates. For Texas, the minimum is $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage (Tex. Transp. Code §601.072). It is each Driver's and Passenger's responsibility to verify with their insurer that they are covered while Carpooling.
POPARIDE DOES NOT PROVIDE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS WITH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ANY KIND. EACH DRIVER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING AN ACTIVE PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICY THAT MEETS OR EXCEEDS STATE MINIMUM LIABILITY REQUIREMENTS. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR PERSONAL AUTO INSURANCE POLICY COVERAGE, INCLUDING COMPREHENSIVE, COLLISION, LIABILITY, AND MEDICAL COVERAGE, MAY BE INVALID OR INSUFFICIENT WHILE YOU ARE PROVIDING CARPOOLING THROUGH THE PLATFORM. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS OF YOUR OWN POLICY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, POPARIDE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY, INCLUDING LIABILITY ARISING FROM ITS OWN NEGLIGENCE, FOR ANY LOSS, INJURY, OR DAMAGE ARISING FROM INADEQUATE, LAPSED, OR INVALID INSURANCE COVERAGE BY ANY DRIVER. THIS DISCLAIMER DOES NOT APPLY TO LOSSES CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR FRAUD OF POPARIDE. BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PARTICIPATING IN ANY TRIP THROUGH THE PLATFORM CARRIES THE RISK THAT THE DRIVER WILL NOT HAVE ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE. POPARIDE IS NOT AN INSURER AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE ANY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ANY TRIP ARRANGED THROUGH THE SERVICE.
In certain instances, such as posting a Trip, you may be asked to provide proof of identity through an approved identity verification method. You agree that you may be denied access to or use of the Service if you refuse to provide proof of identity or if your identity cannot be reliably verified.
Any reference to "verified" information means only that a Member has successfully passed the identity verification procedure. Verification does not indicate any opinion by Poparide on the trustworthiness of the individual, and Poparide does not investigate any Member's reputation, conduct, morality, or criminal background.
Where identity verification involves biometric data (including facial recognition data), you will be asked to provide explicit consent before any biometric data is collected. Biometric data is collected and retained by a third-party verification provider. You may withdraw consent at any time, but doing so may prevent you from accessing Driver features of the Service.
Drivers may travel with friends, family members, or other persons who are not Poparide Members, in addition to booked Passengers, provided this is clearly disclosed in the Trip description before any Booking is confirmed. Non-Member occupants are not covered by any Poparide policy, and Poparide bears no responsibility for them. Failure to disclose additional occupants before Bookings are confirmed is a violation of these Terms.
Passengers are permitted to bring reasonable personal luggage appropriate for an intercity carpool, subject to the Driver's available vehicle space. Passengers must disclose any large, unusual, or oversize items (including but not limited to bicycles, musical instruments, sporting equipment, or items exceeding standard carry-on size) to the Driver before a Booking is confirmed. The Driver has the right to decline a Booking or cancel an approved Booking if undisclosed large items are presented at pick-up. If a Driver cancels for this reason, the Contribution is non-refundable and will be paid to the Driver in accordance with the Driver Cancellation Policy.
POPARIDE DOES NOT PROCURE INSURANCE FOR, NOR IS IT RESPONSIBLE FOR, ANY PERSONAL BELONGINGS LOST, STOLEN, LEFT IN A VEHICLE, OR DAMAGED AT ANY TIME DURING OR AFTER A TRIP. PASSENGERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PERSONAL BELONGINGS AT ALL TIMES. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, POPARIDE ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING LIABILITY ARISING FROM ITS OWN NEGLIGENCE, FOR ANY LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRIP ARRANGED THROUGH THE SERVICE. THIS DISCLAIMER DOES NOT APPLY TO LOSSES CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR FRAUD OF POPARIDE.
By creating an Account, you consent to receive transactional communications from Poparide, including Booking confirmations, cancellation notices, Payment receipts, and account security alerts. These may be sent by email, push notification, or SMS text message. Transactional SMS messages are sent only for Booking confirmations and cancellations.
During account registration you will be asked to set your notification preferences, including push notifications, SMS text messages, email, and marketing communications. You may update your preferences at any time through your account settings.
Marketing communications are only sent to Members who have opted in. Poparide does not send marketing SMS messages. You may opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email or by toggling off "Marketing" in your Notification Settings.
By providing your phone number and enabling SMS notifications, you expressly consent, in accordance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (47 U.S.C. §227), to receive autodialed and/or prerecorded SMS text messages from Poparide. This consent is not a condition of purchase or use of the Service. Message and data rates may apply. To opt out at any time, reply STOP to any Poparide text message; this stops all SMS from Poparide, including Booking confirmations and cancellation notices. You can re-enable SMS notifications in your Notification Settings. For help, contact support@poparide.com.
All marketing emails from Poparide comply with the CAN-SPAM Act (15 U.S.C. §7701) and include a clear opt-out mechanism. Opt-out requests are honored within 10 business days.
In the event of any accident, safety incident, or emergency during a Trip, Members must take the following steps:
(a) Call 911 or the appropriate emergency services immediately if anyone is injured or in danger.
(b) Report the incident to Poparide within 24 hours by contacting Poparide Support through in-app chat (available during business hours) or by email at support@poparide.com. Reports should include a description of the incident, the date and time, and the Trip details.
(c) Cooperate with any investigation by Poparide, law enforcement, or emergency services, including providing truthful information and any documentation requested.
Poparide may share Member information (including Account details and Trip data) with law enforcement, emergency services, or regulatory authorities when required by law, when necessary to protect the safety of any person, or in connection with the investigation of an incident reported under this section. Poparide reserves the right to suspend any Member's Account pending investigation of a reported incident.
Passengers wishing to travel with a non-service-animal pet must disclose this to the Driver before a Booking is confirmed. The Driver has the right to decline a Booking or cancel an approved Booking if an undisclosed pet is presented at pick-up. If a Driver cancels for this reason, the Contribution is non-refundable and will be paid to the Driver in accordance with the Driver Cancellation Policy. Service animals must be accommodated by all Drivers at no additional charge as set out in Section 8.4. Poparide is not responsible for any damage, injury, or allergic reaction caused by any animal during a Trip.
By agreeing to these Terms of Service, you also agree to our Community Agreement, which describes how we expect Members to use our Service. The Community Agreement is incorporated into these Terms of Service by reference. Violations of the Community Agreement may result in suspension or termination of your Account.
Poparide is an equal opportunity community. Discrimination against any Member or Poparide staff on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law — including the Texas Human Rights Act (Tex. Lab. Code Ch. 21) — is not permitted. Allegations of discrimination may lead to preventive or permanent closure of a Member's Account.
Poparide is committed to providing a community free from harassment for Members and Poparide staff. Harassment based upon sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated. Allegations of harassment may lead to preventive or permanent closure of a Member's Account.
Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature, including unwanted physical contact, offensive sexual language, sexual propositions, sexual jokes or remarks, obscene gestures, and displays of sexually explicit material. Use of the Poparide platform for the purpose of viewing, displaying, or disseminating sexual material may also constitute harassing behavior. Allegations of sexual harassment may lead to preventive or permanent closure of a Member's Account.
Poparide does not discriminate against Members with disabilities. All Drivers must accommodate service animals at no additional charge. A Driver may not decline, cancel, or penalize a Booking because a Passenger is accompanied by a service animal. Allergies, vehicle size, and personal preference are not grounds for refusing a service animal.
Passengers may indicate accessibility needs or the presence of a service animal during the Booking process to help coordinate Trip logistics, but are not required to do so. Disclosure of a service animal is not a condition of Booking, and failure to disclose does not affect a Passenger's right to travel with a service animal.
A service animal must be under the control of its handler at all times during a Trip. If a service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if the animal is not housebroken, the Driver may report the issue to Poparide after the Trip. Violation of the service animal accommodation requirement may result in suspension or termination of a Driver's Account.
If a Member has been harassed or discriminated against, they should immediately contact Poparide at support@poparide.com. All complaints will be handled as discreetly and confidentially as circumstances allow.
By agreeing to these Terms of Service, you also agree to our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and share your personal information and your rights under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ch. 541) and other applicable law. In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, Poparide will notify you in accordance with Texas law (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §521.053) and any other applicable breach notification requirements.
In using our Service, you may be exposed to content from other Members or third parties. We do not control and have no responsibility for third-party content. You must evaluate and bear all risks associated with third-party content.
The Service collects precise geolocation data only when you actively choose to use the "Share my location" feature in the in-app messaging system. Before your location is shared, you will be asked to confirm your consent through an in-app prompt. You may decline to share your location at any time, and declining will not affect your ability to use other features of the Service. Poparide does not collect precise geolocation data passively or in the background. Trip origins, destinations, and pick-up and drop-off locations entered by Members are information provided by the Member and are not collected through device location services. Additional details regarding how location data is used and shared are set out in our Privacy Policy.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we shall not be liable for damages of any kind (including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages) arising from or relating to: (a) your use of or inability to use our Service; (b) any Trip arranged through the Service; (c) the conduct or content of any Member, whether online or offline; (d) disclosure of, unauthorized access to, or alteration of your content; (e) loss or corruption of data or programs, service interruptions, or procurement of substitute services; (f) bodily injury, emotional distress, death, or any other damages resulting from communication or meeting with other Members, whether online or offline; or (g) any other matter arising from, relating to, or connected with our Service or these Terms.
Our total liability to any Member will not exceed the total Payments and service fees you paid to Poparide in the 12 months preceding the claim.
If you use our Service, you do so at your sole risk. Our Service is provided on an "as available" basis. We expressly disclaim, and you waive, all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that our Service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, error-free, or free from viruses or other harmful components. We cannot guarantee that each Driver or Passenger is who they claim to be.
You shall defend, indemnify, and hold us harmless from any claim, demand, action, damage, loss, cost, or expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or relating to: (a) your use of our Service; (b) your violation of these Terms or any applicable law; (c) any content you submit to the Service; or (d) any Trip you provide as a Driver, including any accident, injury, property damage, or claim by any Passenger or third party arising from operation of your vehicle.
All material on our Service is protected by copyright, trademarks, service marks, patents, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights and laws. The Poparide platform and all associated intellectual property is owned by HitchPlanet Online Inc. or its affiliates and licensed to Poparide. Unless expressly authorized by us, you may not sell, license, rent, modify, distribute, copy, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publish, adapt, edit, or create derivative works from such material. You may not systematically retrieve data or other content from our Service to recreate databases or directories.
Completing the platform dispute process described in this section is a condition precedent to initiating arbitration under Section 10.5.2 or filing any claim in court under Section 10.5.4.
For post-trip refund disputes, you must submit a request through the platform's refund request process within 4 days of the Trip departure time. For all other disputes arising under these Terms or relating to the Service, you must contact Poparide at support@poparide.com with a written description of the dispute and the relief sought.
Poparide will attempt to resolve all disputes informally within 30 days of receiving the dispute submission. If the dispute is not resolved within 30 days, either party may proceed to arbitration under Section 10.5.2 or, for claims excepted from arbitration, to court under Section 10.5.4.
The applicable statute of limitations and any arbitration filing deadlines are tolled from the date a dispute is submitted under this section until the earlier of (a) resolution of the dispute or (b) expiration of the 30-day informal resolution period. The procedures for submitting and processing disputes, including required information and response procedures, are set out in the applicable cancellation, no-show, and refund policies and may be updated by Poparide from time to time.
Except as set forth in Section 10.5.4, any unresolved dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or your use of the Service will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, as modified by these Terms. The arbitration will be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. §1 et seq.). The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding. You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to support@poparide.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. If you opt out, you will not be subject to the arbitration agreement or the class action waiver in Section 10.5.3, but all other provisions of these Terms will continue to apply. Opting out will not affect your Account or your ability to use the Service. Poparide will pay all AAA administrative fees and arbitrator compensation in excess of the consumer filing fee required by the AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules.
YOU AND POPARIDE AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN YOUR OR ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any form of class or representative proceeding. If this waiver is found unenforceable, the dispute will proceed in court rather than arbitration, but the remainder of these Terms continue in full force.
The following claims are not subject to arbitration: (i) claims where, at the election of the person alleging conduct constituting a sexual assault dispute or sexual harassment dispute as defined by the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (9 U.S.C. §401 et seq.), neither the arbitration agreement in Section 10.5.2 nor the class action waiver in Section 10.5.3 shall be valid or enforceable with respect to a case relating to such dispute. Whether the Act applies to a given dispute shall be determined by a court, not an arbitrator; (ii) claims for emergency injunctive relief to prevent imminent harm; and (iii) small claims court actions within the applicable jurisdictional limits.
If 25 or more Members submit demands for arbitration raising substantially similar claims, and if the same or coordinated counsel represents all (or substantially all) of those Members, the claims will be grouped into batches of no more than 10 claims each. The first batch will be selected randomly and will proceed to arbitration. All other batches will be stayed pending resolution of the first batch. After the first batch is resolved, the parties will engage in a single mediation session covering all remaining claims. If mediation does not resolve the remaining claims, subsequent batches will proceed sequentially, with each batch stayed until the prior batch is resolved. A court of competent jurisdiction will have authority to enforce this batching process. Unless the parties agree otherwise, no arbitrator may preside over more than one batch at a time. The statute of limitations and any filing-fee deadlines will be tolled for all claims subject to a stay under this section. Nothing in this section prevents any individual Member from opting out of this batching procedure by providing written notice to legal@poparide.com within 30 days of receiving notice that their claim has been batched.
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions, except that the arbitration provisions are governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. For claims not subject to arbitration, you and Poparide submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Texas. Venue for any such action shall lie in the county where the Trip giving rise to the dispute originated, or, if no Trip is at issue, in Harris County, Texas.
You shall use the Service in a manner consistent with any and all applicable laws and regulations.
The Poparide platform enables private individuals who are already planning an intercity trip to share available seats with other Members in exchange for a cost-recovery Contribution. This section sets out the terms that apply specifically to Members who post Trips and receive Passengers through the Service (Drivers).
Drivers are Members of the Poparide platform. They are private individuals who make their own trips and choose to share available seats through the Service. No relationship exists between Poparide and any Driver other than as a Member of the platform subject to these Terms of Service.
DRIVERS ARE NOT EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, PARTNERS, OR REPRESENTATIVES OF POPARIDE FOR ANY PURPOSE WHATSOEVER. POPARIDE DOES NOT HIRE, DIRECT, SUPERVISE, OR CONTROL DRIVERS IN THE PROVISION OF THEIR TRIPS. POPARIDE DOES NOT SET DRIVERS' HOURS, ROUTES, DESTINATIONS, OR METHODS OF OPERATION. DRIVERS PROVIDE TRIPS TO PASSENGERS DIRECTLY AND IN THEIR OWN RIGHT — NOT AS REPRESENTATIVES OF, OR ON BEHALF OF, POPARIDE. THE CONTRIBUTION A DRIVER RECEIVES FROM PASSENGERS IS NOT PAYMENT FROM POPARIDE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED TO POPARIDE. NOTHING IN THESE TERMS CREATES OR SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO CREATE ANY EMPLOYMENT, AGENCY, FRANCHISE, JOINT VENTURE, OR CONTRACTOR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POPARIDE AND ANY DRIVER. BY USING THE PLATFORM AS A DRIVER, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A COST-SHARING PLATFORM, NOT A SERVICE PROVIDER TO POPARIDE OR ITS MEMBERS.
The foregoing reflects the parties' understanding that no service relationship exists between Poparide and any Driver. Drivers independently determine whether, when, and where to travel; use their own personal vehicles; bear all costs of vehicle ownership and operation; are free to use or not use the Service at their discretion; are not required to accept any Booking request; may use any other platform or service without restriction; and receive only cost-recovery Contributions from Passengers that are capped below the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate. Poparide does not train, supervise, evaluate, or discipline Drivers, and does not set or control Drivers' routes, schedules, or methods of driving.
To post Trips and receive Passengers through the Service, a Member must at all times meet the following conditions. These are conditions of platform membership, not obligations owed to Poparide as a service provider.
1. Hold a valid, non-expired driver's license issued by a US state, Canadian province, or other jurisdiction recognized under applicable US law, that matches the name provided in their Poparide account, and be legally authorized to drive in the United States.
2. Be the registered owner or authorized user of the vehicle used for the Trip. The vehicle must be in good operating condition, meet all applicable statutory requirements, and be registered in accordance with applicable law.
3. Hold valid personal automobile insurance meeting or exceeding the minimum liability requirements of the state in which the Trip originates (for Texas: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage, per Tex. Transp. Code §601.072).
4. Not use the Service for commercial transportation or for any purpose other than sharing an existing personal trip on a cost-recovery basis.
5. Comply with all applicable traffic laws and not operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that affects the ability to drive safely.
6. Not transport more Passengers than can be seated with an operational seatbelt.
7. Treat all Passengers with respect and dignity and not discriminate against any Passenger on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law.
8. Make reasonable accommodations for Passengers with disabilities and for service animals, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §12101). No additional fee may be charged for a service animal.
9. Not accept any payment from Passengers outside the platform, in cash, or in any form other than through the Service.
10. Disclose any non-Member occupants in the Trip description before Bookings are confirmed, in accordance with Section 6.8.
11. Disclose any limitations on luggage space or restrictions on large items before Bookings are confirmed, in accordance with Section 6.9.
12. Comply with all platform policies as communicated by Poparide from time to time.
Failure to meet any of these conditions may result in suspension or termination of the Member's Account and withholding of any pending Payouts, at Poparide's sole discretion.
POPARIDE DOES NOT PROVIDE DRIVERS WITH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ANY KIND. EACH DRIVER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING VALID PERSONAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE THAT MEETS OR EXCEEDS APPLICABLE STATE MINIMUMS. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR PERSONAL AUTO INSURANCE POLICY MAY NOT COVER CARPOOLING ACTIVITY AND THAT IT IS YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO CONFIRM YOUR COVERAGE WITH YOUR INSURER BEFORE POSTING ANY TRIP. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, POPARIDE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY, INCLUDING LIABILITY ARISING FROM ITS OWN NEGLIGENCE, FOR ANY LOSS, INJURY, OR DAMAGE ARISING FROM INADEQUATE, LAPSED, OR INVALID INSURANCE COVERAGE BY ANY DRIVER. THIS DISCLAIMER DOES NOT APPLY TO LOSSES CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR FRAUD OF POPARIDE.
Drivers acknowledge and agree that:
1. Contributions received from Passengers are cost-recovery amounts, not income earned in the provision of services. Because Contributions are capped below the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate, they are generally considered cost recovery rather than taxable income. Drivers are solely responsible for understanding and fulfilling their own tax obligations and should seek independent tax advice.
2. Poparide does not conduct criminal background checks on Drivers. Drivers are responsible for their own conduct and for the safety of Passengers in their vehicle.
3. As between the Driver and Poparide, the Driver — and not Poparide — is solely responsible for any accident, damage, harm, loss, injury, or other incident arising during any Trip. Poparide has no obligation to provide any coverage, financial or otherwise, in connection with any such event.
We may, in our discretion and without liability to you, with or without cause and with or without prior notice, terminate your access to the Service at any time. Grounds for termination include, but are not limited to, breach of these Terms of Service, fraudulent activity, conduct that creates risk for other Members, repeated cancellations or no-shows, or abusive, threatening, or harassing behaviour toward other Members or Poparide staff.
We may, in our discretion and without liability to you, with or without prior notice, modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, any portion of the Service.
If any provision of these Terms is held to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
These Terms of Service, together with the Privacy Policy, Community Agreement, and any other policies incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Poparide regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.
You may not assign or transfer these Terms or any rights or obligations under them without Poparide's prior written consent. Poparide may assign these Terms, in whole or in part, without restriction, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets.
The failure of Poparide to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not constitute a waiver of that right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by Poparide to be effective.
Poparide will not be liable for any delay or failure to perform any obligation under these Terms where the delay or failure results from any cause beyond Poparide's reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, pandemic, war, terrorism, labor disputes, government actions, power failures, internet or telecommunications failures, or cyberattacks.
The following provisions will survive termination of your Account or these Terms: Section 3 (Responsibilities, Eligibility, and Assumption of Risk), Section 9 (Privacy), Section 10 (Liability, Warranties, Indemnity, Intellectual Property, and Other Legal Matters), and Section 11 (Driver Membership Terms), along with any other provision that by its nature should survive.
Notices from Poparide to you will be sent to the email address associated with your Account and are deemed received when sent. You are responsible for keeping your email address current. Notices from you to Poparide must be sent to the email address specified for the relevant purpose in these Terms (for example, support@poparide.com for dispute-related notices). Notices sent to the wrong Poparide email address are not effective until actually received by the correct department.
You agree that these Terms of Service and all related documents, notices, and communications may be provided to you electronically, and that electronic records and signatures satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing, in accordance with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and the Texas Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ch. 322).