Now, rent a car for '40 fils' in Dubai

Dubai - Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA ) launched on Sunday the Smart Rental Services.

Now, here's a smart solution to improve mobility around the city: Starting on Monday, you can rent a car and pay for it by the minute or per hour. 
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA ) launched on Sunday the Smart Rental Services. This service enables customers, especially public transport users, to rent cars for short periods not exceeding six hours via smart apps. 
The RTA has contracted two private companies - U Drive and ekar - to operate 200 vehicles (100 cars each). These are deployed in over 45 locations across the city, including five main locations at Dubai Metro stations, namely: Rashidiya, Burjuman, Ibn Battuta, Union, and Business Bay Stations.
U Drive charges by the minute (from 40 to 50 fils) while ekar's fare is per hour (Dh24 to Dh30). The rent fluctuates depending on the location where the vehicle is returned. For example, ekar charges Dh24 per hour for a round trip or A-to-A  destination, which requires returning the car at the point of pick-up. The rent then becomes Dh30/hr if left or returned at another place/ station.

Here's to top up the deal: The rent is inclusive of free parking at the metro stations, and commercial and non-commercial zones A, B, C and D (except special areas E and F); insurance and fuel cost.
The service is accessible via smart apps of the two companies and, at a later stage, it would also be available through the RTA's Integrated Mobility Platform. 
"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. "The service also aims to enhance the integration of mass transit systems through easing the mobility of commuters, especially metro and tram riders, to their final destinations." 
"The hourly car rental system provides bespoke alternative transit means for public transport riders in Dubai that goes with their needs and requirements, and offers them access to the best global practices of car-sharing of rented vehicles, besides providing highly efficient and cost-effective transit means," added Al Tayer.
Vilhelm Hedberg, CEO of ekar, told Khaleej Times: "The system is very intuitive - all it takes is a quick registration process, which is free of charge, then you can locate, rent and unlock the car straight from our App (see box for the process).
Hasib Khan, managing director and founder of U drive, said the smart rental is the best way to go around the city by having the last-mile solution especially during rush-hour traffic. "For example: you leave your car, take the Metro, book a car and it is there waiting for you at the station and you can go wherever you want to go. What's more, we charge you by the minute, only by how much you drive the car and not the whole day," Khan explained.

Meanwhile, the RTA said they had made prior coordination with the Dubai Police General HQ to ensure that the companies licensed to practice the service satisfy all the security procedures applicable to the car rental system.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
How it works 
Abdulla Yousef Al Ali, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency, said: "The smart rental service is limited to certain areas in Dubai, and is offered via smart apps by U Drive and ekar. 
"UAE-resident customers should first register in the system to avail the service by entering ID, driving license and credit card details, in addition to a photo of the ID holder (to verify registration in the system). Visitors are required to enter passport, visa, driving license and credit card details."
"Upon validating the accuracy of data provided, the customer is issued with a Personal Identification Number (PIN), before he or she can enter the user name and password. The customer can now track the cars available and then book one. The car door is opened by clicking an icon in the smart App and is switched on by entering the (PIN) in the device fitted in the vehicle. The vehicle can be locked through the Smart App and parked at RTA's parking lots only. The bill will be dispatched to customers via the e-system."
 What's next?
According to Adel Shakri, RTA director of transport systems, the RTA will conduct a survey to take customer feedback on the initial roll out of the service. He added it is to early to say if RTA would beef-up the fleet but it will depend on the results of the initial operation phase as well as customers' preferences. 
The RTA also said it is studying using environment-friendly electric or hybrid vehicles in the future.
Requirements: 
UAE residents: Emirates ID and Driving License
Tourists: Passport, visa, entry stamp
Customer photo with Emirates ID/ Driving License
Authentication of personal credit card
Security features of smart rental:
Unique username and password
Unique customer PIN (personal identification number)
Unlock car within close proximity; auto-lock functionality if car is unattended
Remote vehicle access and immobilization in case of emergency or threat
Real-time access:
Live system view for Dubai Police and RTA
Live vehicle location
Live driver information
Dubai Police approved tracking devices
Cars (all brand new):
U Drive - Peugeot 208, Toyota Yaris Hatchback, Nissan Tiida
Ekar - Nissan Sentra and Tiida (hatchback)
 

• UAE
• Dubai