By Javier Molinares
AL DIA TODAY
PALM BAY, Fla. — Eric Quintero knows what it means to work hard and still struggle to get ahead.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Quintero came to the United States with his family when he was about five years old and was raised in Miami. Life pushed him into adulthood early. While attending Hialeah High School, he left school to work full time after his mother developed serious health problems.
“I had to do what I had to do,” Quintero said. “Work came first.”
For years, Quintero worked installing central air-conditioning systems, crawling through attics in extreme heat and handling insulation and ductwork. Later, he turned to rideshare driving as a side job, first in Florida and later after moving to Colorado for a fresh start.
That experience behind the wheel became the foundation for what he is building today.
Quintero is the founder of Epic Rides, a new rideshare platform designed to challenge the traditional business model of companies like Uber and Lyft. The app is scheduled to launch in April 2026, pending final approval from Apple and Google app stores.
Unlike traditional rideshare services that take a significant percentage of each fare, Epic Rides operates on a subscription model. Drivers keep 100% of their earnings and pay a $25 weekly subscription to use the platform. The only additional cost is an optional 5% fee for instant withdrawals, which Quintero said covers card processing, not company profit.
“If a driver accepts a $100 ride, that’s exactly what they make,” Quintero said. “That money goes straight to them. We don’t touch it.”
Riders pay no subscription fee and benefit from lower fares because prices are not inflated to cover corporate commissions.
For a limited time, Epic Rides is offering a promotion aimed at early adopters. The first 10,000 early drivers who sign up will receive a discounted subscription rate of $15 per week, instead of the standard $25. Quintero emphasized that riders would continue to pay no subscription and will only be charged the lowest available ride prices.
Quintero said the idea grew out of personal frustration and years of research. While driving for Uber and Lyft, he began looking into lawsuits, labor disputes and widespread driver complaints.
“Drivers and riders have been fighting these companies for years,” he said. “Drivers aren’t being paid fairly, and riders are being overcharged.”
Although not a software developer, Quintero personally designed the structure and workflow of the Epic Rides app. Development and ongoing operations are being handled by Dignite Studios, a technology company partnering with Epic Rides. The startup is supported by a private, silent investor.
The concept first took shape in Florida and was fully developed during Quintero’s three to four years in Colorado. He later returned to Florida and settled in Palm Bay, drawn by what he described as a quieter lifestyle near the coast.
“Palm Bay gave me the space to focus,” he said. “I came back and got straight to work.”
Beyond business, Quintero sees Epic Rides as a response to broader economic pressures, including job losses linked to automation and self-driving vehicle development.
“People are losing work,” he said. “We deserve real jobs and real people behind the wheel.”
Epic Rides is currently accepting early driver and rider registrations ahead of its April launch. Drivers must meet all legal and transportation network company (TNC) requirements. Riders can join at no cost.
Those interested can sign up at www.epicridesapp.com
as early drivers or early riders. Epic Rides is also active across major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn, under the name EpicRidesApp.
“We deserve something better,” Quintero said. “This is about fair pay, fair prices, and supporting our communities.”