Smart Hourly Car Rental Now Launched in Dubai

Smart Hourly Car Rental Now Launched in Dubai

Do you use public transport on a daily basis? Is it the bane of your existence? Well, now you're in luck! 

In an effort to make improve mobility around the city, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have launched the Smart Rental Services. This new service allows customers to rent cars for short periods of time (not exceeding six hours) using their smartphones.

Indeed, this new smart initiative will no doubt be a welcomed one for public transport users who commute on a daily basis. But just how popular it will be is yet to be made clear. After all, while the ability to rent a car for such a short space of time - without the constraints of an annual contract, or monthly finance payments - is an attractive idea, will it not just remove public transport users and place them on the already congested roads of Dubai? 

There are some attractions to using the service however: the rental is inclusive of free parking at metro stations, and commercial and non-commercial zones A, B, C and D (except special areas E and F), insurance and fuel cost. 

At this time, only 200 vehicles are in operation - run by two contracted private companies the RTA have selected, U Drive and ekar. Both operate 100 cars each, and are deployed across 45 locations... Including the five main locations at Dubai Metro stations, namely: Rashidiya, Burjuman, Ibn Battuta, Union and Business Bay Stations. 

While a lot of you may be skeptical over the advantages of such a service, the aim of the initiative is understandable. 

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"The smart rental service supports RTA's efforts to bring happiness to people and increase the ridership of public transport means," said Mattar Al Tayer, RTA director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors to Khaleej Times. 

"The service also aims to enhance the integration of mass transit systems through easing the mobility of customers, especially metro and tram ridrs, to their final destinations." 

How much does it cost? 
U Drive charges by the minute (from 40 to 50 fils), while ekar's fare is by the hour (from Dhs 24 to Dhs 30). The rent fluctuates depending on the location of where the vehicle is returned. 

But when you calculate the total costs, the fils do add up. For instance, it would cost a total of Dhs 48 for just two hours of use from either company. Multiply that by three for the total of six hours, and users would look at spending over Dhs 144 for 6 hours. 

There are companies in Dubai that lease rental cars out for almost as low as Dhs 50 for the day. 

SEE ALSO: How to register minor road accidents in Dubai

But the purpose of the newly launched service, we figure, is not to be cheap... But convenient for commuters who are looking for a quick drive when necessary. 

How does it work?
It's currently limited to certain areas in Dubai, and is offered via smart apps by U Drive and ekar. 

UAE residents must first register into the system to avail the service by entering their ID details, driving license and credit card details, in addition to a photo of the ID holder. Tourists who wish to use the service should provide their passport, visa, driving license and credit card details. 

After validation, you'll receive a PIN before entering your username and password. Once done, you'll then be able to track cars available and book one. At the car, the door is opened by clicking an icon in the smart app and is switched on by entering the PIN in the device fitted to the car. 

It can then be locked through the app and parked at RTA's parking lots only. After which, the bill will be dispatched to customers via the e-system. 

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this new service available; would you use it, would you find it beneficial? Let us know in the comments below!