Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), has inaugurated today Sunday (15 January 2017) the Smart Rental Service, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
The service enables customers, especially public transport users, to rent cars for short periods not exceeding six hours via smart apps.
To do so, RTA has contracted with U drive and ekar companies to operate 200 vehicles (100 each) at a fare ranging from 40 to 50 fils per minute (according to the location of returning the vehicle) i.e. Dh24 to Dh30 per hour.
In a speech delivered during the service inauguration ceremony, which took place nearby the Dubai Water Canal in the presence of CEOs and Directors, Al Tayer said, “The smart rental service supports RTA’s efforts to bring happiness to people and increase the ridership of public transport means.
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 service, which is offered to customers starting from tomorrow Monday (16 January 2017), enables the rental of vehicles for short periods not exceeding six hours via smart apps on mobile phones and tablets.
At a later stage, the service would be available through the Integrated Mobility Platform in Dubai.
“Vehicles are deployed over 45 locations including five main locations at Dubai Metro stations namely: Rashidiya, Burjuman, Ibn Battuta, Union, and Business Bay Stations. RTA would beef-up the fleet of smart rental cars through a tender, and assess the map for deploying vehicles guided by the results of the initial operation phase as well as customers’ preferences. RTA would also mull the provision of the service using environment-friendly electric or hybrid vehicles,” commented Al Tayer. More info
By Staff www.emirates247.com
