17 Oct October 17, 2016 RTA announces service will roll out initially with 200 cars from Ekar and Udrive Residents and visitors in Dubai will for the first time be able to rent cars by the hour, starting in 2017, the Roads and Transport Authority announced on Sunday. Abdullah Yousuf Al Ali, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said the pay-as-you-go option will initially roll out with a total of 200 cars provided by Ekar and Udrive. He added that Dubai residents and visitors will be able to use a smart application on their personal gadgets to book, pay the rate and open one of the cars available in certain locations all over Dubai — all this through their personal devices. To use this service, the client should first join by registering on the website of one of the two providers and then receive the approval in 12 hours. Cars can be reserved anytime 24/7. After reservation, the client can unlock the car using the smart app, make sure it is in a good condition and drive. Al Ali added that the two companies, which were legislated by the RTA to offer the hourly service to the public after winning RTA’s Smart Car Rental/Sharing franchises, would deliver easy-to-use, cost-effective and pay-as-you-go car rental/sharing services.” The development follows a new resolution, issued on September 27 by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, which aims to provide alternative low-cost public transportation solutions that meet the needs of the people in Dubai.” The new facility will allow public transport users to pick up and drop off rented cars at metro and tram stations for short trips at a cost much lower than the taxi fare. Source: GN
