The Ride Pact
You pay in stages, not all up front. You and your driver agree on one price, you show the money is there without sending it, half is paid when you reach the halfway point of the trip, and the rest when you arrive. Neither side is ever out more than half a ride.
paid in stages
half at halfway
we hold no money
both sides agree
proof of funds
Open a pact
Opening costs nothing and moves nothing.
Why this feels safe to both sides
- Driver: sees a green "funds proven" light before turning a wheel, and is paid for the distance already driven the instant the map says 50%.
- Rider: pays nothing to be picked up, and still holds half the fare as leverage until the door opens at the destination.
- ZEM: never holds a cent. Money moves peer-to-peer on PayPal and the network only signs the terms.
- Grace: 120s free walk-away for either side. After that reputation — not money — is the collateral.
Signed terms
peer: guest.zem · guest
rail: PayPal → unlinked handle
digest: —
rider sig: —
driver sig: —
phase: draft
Swap this digest for a wallet signature and the pact becomes portable across any chain — the protocol above does not change.