I think it could. In Baltimore there is a culture surrounded by giving cheap economical rides. It's called "hacking" or "catching a hack" https://afro.com/the-anatomy-of-a-hack/ .

I think an app that just allowed people to be their own boss and hail their own rides could easily upend uber or lyft. If the idea of the app is to empower people to be their own bosses. Let people set their own rates. Maybe charge a flat rate of $0.25 per ride. Drivers would benefit and so would passengers.

Obviously hacking/hitchhiking can be dangerous so the driver/passenger identity system would still need to be addressed.