The locally built app offers fixed fares, verified drivers and trackable rides.

By Andrea Hendricks

FOR many visitors, the first negotiation in Guyana can happen before they even reach a hotel: securing a ride at the port of entry. RideGY, a Guyanese-built ride-hailing platform, is betting that certainty, through known drivers, fixed pricing and a tracked route, can improve that first impression and offer everyday users a safer, more accountable way to move around the country.

The company says its approach is designed for the way Guyanese travel and do business, with features that appeal to both residents and the steady flow of investors, conference-goers and tourists now passing through. For business professionals in particular, RideGY is positioning itself as a practical option by offering reliable movement backed by receipts that can be accounted for.

RideGY was founded by a team of Guyanese professionals with backgrounds in technology, business, and customer service who saw an opportunity to modernise local transportation. Rather than relying on a purchased template, the team developed the platform from the ground up and says it owns the source code, the app, and the supporting infrastructure, which it believes will help it respond quickly to issues, improve the service based on feedback, and scale as demand grows.

Founder Adrian Sookchan told Pepperpot Magazine that the company’s early days were defined by troubleshooting and adjustment. “We did a soft launch on July 4, 2026 and discovered that the infrastructure couldn’t support the bandwidth our application demanded. We made adjustments based on feedback from our drivers and riders to resolve those issues.”

According to the company’s technology specialist, testing took place over time and was informed by local feedback. The aim, he said, was to build to international standards with familiar features so that visitors can adapt quickly to RideGY while locals benefit from a more structured and transparent service. “Visitors who are familiar with these standards will quickly be able to adapt to RideGY. We have a roadmap to support WeChat Pay in China, Pix in Brazil and also a closed-loop credit system, where you can top up your account and pay using RideGY credit.”

At its core, the platform is trying to solve long-standing pain points in local transportation. Guyana has traditionally relied heavily on cash transactions, phone calls and negotiating fares, often with limited visibility into pricing and driver information. RideGY says its goal is greater pricing transparency, improved   customer safety, easier access to transportation through technology, and more earning opportunities for drivers.

Officials explained that the app’s matching system is intended to connect drivers directly with nearby riders. “The drivers are matched directly with their riders or customers nearby, resulting in less fuel being burned, more paid trips and fair pricing on every side. As they build a good track record, they move into better tiers with lower commission.”

To support safety and predictability, RideGY offers transparent upfront pricing and live GPS tracking, alongside PIN-verified pickups for added passenger security. The company also highlights its driver-verification process and says every driver is vetted and required to submit documents, including government-issued identification, a valid Guyana driver’s licence, vehicle registration, current vehicle insurance and a profile photo for rider verification. “Each application is reviewed, and documents are scanned for validity before a driver is approved to go online. We also ensure drivers meet the platform eligibility requirements before activation.”

The company says fares are calculated using factors such as a base fare, distance travelled, selected vehicle category and any applicable demand adjustment, with the total displayed before a ride is confirmed. “The goal is to eliminate guesswork so passengers know exactly what they’ll pay before they start their journey.”

RideGY also lists multiple payment options, including cash, cards, Apple Pay, PayPal and MMG, along with optional driver preferences and vehicle types. It has also rolled out a promotion offering “20,000 free travel credits”, framed as travel credit equivalent to free rides within the app, and says customers can participate via its social media platforms as part of the engagement.

Early feedback, the company reports, has been encouraging. Drivers have welcomed another platform that can widen earning opportunities and flexibility, while riders have responded to the app’s simplicity, transparent pricing and emphasis on safety. The company says ongoing input from both groups is being used to improve the platform continuously.

Driver Henri Forrester described the visitor-focused benefits in particular, telling this publication: “What I like about RideGY is that a visitor can book and reserve a driver before arriving in the country. Customers can communicate directly with their drivers from the time they book a ride until they reach their destination. I only have good things to say about my experience using the app so far.”

Driver Alex Langhorne, meanwhile, pointed to emergency support and communication as key safety features. “There is an emergency mechanism through which a driver and vehicle can be located if a signal for help is sent, with a quick response time from emergency responders. Additionally, drivers and customers can communicate to let each other know about their current locations and distance, which saves a lot of time.”

Driver Keith Cheong also welcomed the initiative and described ease of use as central to its appeal. “The functionality of the app is user-friendly, making it easy to book a ride and schedule a pickup.” He encouraged more drivers to join, citing the professionalism and service standards the RideGY team aims to set.

Beyond day-to-day rides, the team has said it aims to build a pool of 1,000 drivers within a year, with additional services such as courier services, deliveries, and logistics among its longer-term plans.

For now, RideGY’s pitch is straightforward: a locally built platform that keeps innovation and investment in Guyana while offering riders more clarity and drivers more structured opportunities. As the country continues to attract new business activity and visitors, the company is betting that a fixed price, a verified driver and a trackable route can move to Guyana feeling as modern as its economic momentum suggests.

Follow RideGY on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for updates, engagements, rides and rewards.