International entrepreneur Mathew John is preparing to officially launch RWAY in Melbourne on 1 March 2027, introducing a self-funded rideshare platform designed to reshape how drivers, passengers, businesses and communities benefit from mobility. John currently leads PMR Metals, an international precious metal refining business recognized by Business Honor magazine among the world’s top five companies in its sector in 2025. Also recognized among Asia’s Top 10 Business Leaders in 2024, he is bringing his international business experience to an industry traditionally defined by pricing and convenience.
His ambition extends beyond introducing another transport app. RWAY aims to make everyday rideshare fairer and premium travel more accessible, while creating an ecosystem where drivers, passengers, businesses and communities share in its success.
The launch comes as investors pour money into the future of transport. UK self-driving company Wayve secured US$1.5 billion in February, and fleet operator Moove raised US$250 million in August. RWAY is taking a different route: no outside capital so far, and a business model built on sharing each fare.
Five Services, One Connected Ecosystem
At its core, RWAY is a rideshare platform. It combines five mobility propositions within a single app:
- On-Demand Rideshare: Everyday point-to-point rides across the suburbs, railway stations and the CBD, with predictable pricing.
- Fixed-Fare Airport Transfers: Transparent airport transport without unexpected fare surges.
- Corporate Commute: Organized employee travel designed to reduce parking demand, congestion and emissions.
- RWAY Care: Transport solutions for eligible essential workers and passengers requiring assistance.
- Affordable Chauffeur: Curated tourism, leisure and hospitality experiences.
Together, these services aim to generate recurring passenger demand while creating diverse earning opportunities for drivers.
Making Chauffeur Travel Affordable
Just as low-cost airlines transformed aviation, RWAY aims to make chauffeur experiences accessible beyond the luxury market.
Starting at A$65 per hour, its Affordable Chauffeur service offers curated journeys through wineries, restaurants, tourist attractions, entertainment precincts and local favorites. Instead of researching destinations and arranging multiple bookings, passengers can select planned experiences with transport included and access exclusive offers from participating partners.
For drivers, longer scheduled journeys create additional earning opportunities alongside everyday rideshare trips.
Creating More Opportunities for Women Drivers
RWAY is placing particular emphasis on recruiting women drivers, aiming to make ridesharing more attractive through flexible schedules, pre-arranged bookings and predictable scheduled journeys.
The initiative also recognizes the preferences of women traveling alone, families and parents arranging transport for teenagers, who may welcome the option of requesting a woman driver.
By encouraging greater female participation, RWAY hopes to build a more inclusive transport network while opening additional earning opportunities for women.
Every Ride Gives Back
At the heart of RWAY’s business model is a proposed fare-sharing ecosystem designed to reward everyone contributing to its growth. Under its standard allocation, drivers receive 85% of the fare, passengers earn 3% in rewards, participating community organizations or partners receive 2%, and RWAY retains 10%.
Football clubs, hotels, hospitals, universities and businesses can introduce RWAY to their communities and receive ongoing contributions from eligible referred journeys. This creates a community-powered customer acquisition model where partners have a financial incentive to recommend the platform, potentially reducing reliance on conventional advertising.
As more passengers join, RWAY aims to create greater earning opportunities for drivers while returning value to participating organizations.
AI-Powered Mobility With a Human Focus
RWAY says its underlying technology previously supported a major UAE-based rideshare operator, with additional AI capabilities developed for Australia.
These include voice-assisted booking, intelligent dispatch, predictive demand forecasting, personalized journey recommendations and AI-powered customer support.
A passenger regularly traveling to Thursday football training could receive an automated booking reminder, while someone questioning a fare could receive an immediate itemized explanation.
The technology aims to make transport more intuitive for passengers while helping drivers connect with relevant bookings.
From Melbourne to International Markets
Ahead of its 1 March 2027 Melbourne launch, RWAY says it has onboarded 500 founder drivers, obtained a Victorian Booking Service Provider license and secured letters of intent across sport, healthcare, hospitality and business.
Organizations identified by RWAY include Winning Wealth Finance, Eltham Redbacks Football Club, Bruder RVs, Heidelberg United Football Club and its commercial partners that include Agapi Care, Windsor Insurance Management, Melbourne City Toyota Group, Bell Collision and Olympic Hotel.
These relationships form part of RWAY’s strategy to build passenger demand through established business and community networks.
Following Melbourne, RWAY plans to expand through territory partnerships across Australian states and international markets. Local partners will operate each territory under the RWAY brand, while RWAY supplies the platform, technology, marketing and operational support from its Melbourne head office, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to participate in its growing mobility ecosystem.
Its immediate challenge will be converting partnerships, driver registrations and technology investment into sustained passenger demand.
For John, the ambition is to build more than a rideshare company: a global mobility ecosystem where drivers have more opportunities to earn, passengers receive greater value, and communities benefit from every eligible journey.
