You might be familiar with Uber and Lyft, but there’s another player in the ridesharing market. Juno claims to put its drivers’ needs first with a core model built on the belief that a happy ride starts with a happy driver.
If you have a car, a TLC license, spare time and prior experience with a ridesharing service, then Juno might be for you.
Juno has closed down
On November 18, 2019, Juno announced that it was closing down. You can no longer sign up as a driver or request rides on the app.
If you’re considering signing up as a rideshare driver, compare other rideshare companies to find one that’s looking for drivers in your area.
Juno is a ridesharing service that caters to drivers who’ve driven for other rideshare companies. It accepts only excellent-rated drivers from Uber or Lyft who have a TLC license.
After switching yourself online in the Juno Driver app, you’re connected with riders who are closest to your location. After your first ride, you have the flexibility to drive for as long as you want, wherever you want.
Like its competitors, it offers 24/7 customer support by phone, email or in-app messaging.
What you’re paid depends on four factors: time, distance, ride type and location. Juno provides three types of rides — Bliss, Lux and SUV — each set up with both per-minute and per-mile rates on every ride. Lux and SUV drivers will also get a base fare. And no matter which service you drive for, you’ll make at least the minimum fare, minus Juno’s commission.
According to a Juno driver in a May 2018 UberPeople forum thread, you can expect a commission of 16.65% to be taken out of each fare — which is lower than Uber’s 25% cut and Lyft’s approximate 50% take reported by users in the same forum.
How do I get paid?
You have two ways of getting paid:
- Set up your bank account within the app for transfers of your earnings weekly
- Sign up for Instant Pay. Instant Pay allows you to withdraw earnings into your bank account up to five times a day. You’ll pay a $0.50 fee for each withdrawal.
Do I get tips?
Tipping is optional for the rider, made available only after a rider rates you with five stars.
All tips are handled through the app and added to your weekly earnings.
Juno is currently only available in New York City and is active in all five boroughs. But it has plans to launch in New Jersey soon, and you can sign up on Juno’s website to be added to the waitlist.
Apply as a Juno driver in four steps:
- Sign up. Visit Juno’s website to create an account.
- Set an appointment. Your hourlong appointment allows time for Juno to verify your documents and experience.
- Become active. A Juno specialist will verify your rideshare rating.
- Start driving. Start taking Juno rides by the end of the appointment.
To ensure the safety of its passengers and the efficiency of its rides, Juno requires a background check for new drivers as well as experience driving for a rideshare company.
Basic personal and vehicle requirements include:
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- Your must own your car.
- You must have completed 100+ rides with another rideshare company and have a rating of 4.65 with Uber or 4.7 with Lyft.
- Your car model must be 2012 or newer and on Juno’s list of approved vehicles for your city.
- Your car must be full-size and comfortably seat at least four adults.
Requirements for drivers in NYC
If you plan to drive in New York City, you’ll need to meet with the Juno team at a Marriott near LaGuardia Airport and bring the following documentation:
- Government-issued driver’s license
- TLC license
- Vehicle registration
- TLC inspection report or FHV sticker
- Certificate of liability insurance in your name
- Voided check or bank statement in your name to set up direct deposit
Requirements for drivers in New Jersey
Drivers in New Jersey must meet with the Juno team at a Marriott in downtown Newark and submit documentation that includes:
- Government-issued driver’s license
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of insurance in your name
- Voided check or bank statement in your name to set up direct deposit
Pros and cons of driving with Juno
Pros
- Flexible schedule
- Weekly payments with option of Instant Pay
- Taxes deducted from your earnings
Cons
- Need previous experience and high rating with a rideshare company
- Drivers are independent contractors
- Limited to NYC
If you’re seeking a change in pace and earnings from your current rideshare company, driving with Juno may be the gig for you. It charges lower commission rates than Uber and Lyft and offers 24/7 support.
But Juno is still relatively new, and you don’t need to choose one provider to drive with exclusively. Compare other rideshare companies to find the flexible options that works best for you.
What makes Juno different from other rideshare companies?
Juno advertises lower commissions than the competition and lower upcharges per ride, meaning the driver earns more and the rider pays less.
What if I don’t live in New York or New Jersey?
Stay tuned: Juno claims it’s expanding and could be coming to a city near you soon.
What if a passenger adds a destination during a ride?
You’re paid for all additional destinations your passengers add throughout the original trip. Your fare is based on the total time and distance of a trip, so you’re compensated accordingly at every stop.
What is Gett?
Gett is the New York-based rideshare company that acquired Juno in April 2017. It rolled itself into the more popular Juno brand, though rumor has it that Gett’s put Juno back up for sale as of March 2018.