AsterRIDE

asterRIDE is an referral company similar to a Kayak.com or Expedia.com that operates and markets transportation services on behalf the limousine and taxi operators across the cities they operate. AsterRIDE markets their web platform and mobile app asterRIDE (iOS and Android), which connects passengers with taxi drivers and for-hire chauffeurs in its cities of operation. As of June, 2015, asterRIDE is available in ten U.S. cities and growing: Chicago, Everett, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and West Palm Beach. According to a release on their website, Las Vegas, New York City, Houston, and Philadelphia will be new markets very soon.
History.
asterRIDE was founded by Seattle entrepreneur and Arizona State University graduate Seth Rudin in October, 2014. Rudin came up with the idea for the service while struggling to book ground transportation during his frequent business trips.
AsterRIDE app and services.
The asterRIDE passenger app connects passengers with commercially insured, city-licensed drivers. Vehicle drivers and cab companies receive and manage ride requests through a corresponding driver app. Passengers are offered a choice between a conventional taxi, for-hire car or limousine. Passengers can order rides on-demand using the instaRIDE™ feature or for a date and time in the future through its Advance Booking feature, save favorite locations, and search recommendations through Yelp ratings 
InstaALERT™.
asterRIDE offers a safety feature called instaALERT™, which allows passengers to send an alert to a friend or family member when they have accepted a ride via the app.
Preferred Driver.
Passengers can also select their preferred driver and a driver can also invite new passengers to the platform whom want to be paired together.
Pricing model.
asterRIDE passengers are charged a booking and customer service fee. The app does not use a "surge" pricing system.
Reception.
asterRIDE has been positively received by bloggers and media outlets. In December 2014, asterRIDE was named one of the 30 Must-Know Upstarts of 2014 by Upstart Business Journal. In May 2015, asterRIDE was named to Entrepreneur Magazine's list of 100 Brilliant Companies of 2015. It has been described as a taxi-friendly alternative to ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.