There’s growing competition within the local transport system of Dubai. While the average Ahmed in Dubai utilises the fleet of taxis to transport him between places, some people opt for one of the numerous private taxi apps such as Uber and Careem. Now there’s a new app on the block: Udrive.
Let’s get the biggest difference between this app and Uber or Careem out of the way: There is no driver, only a car; you will have to drive yourself around. While this may seem like a hindrance it can prove to be a boon to the many people who have driving licences but nothing to drive around with due to various reasons (maintenance, etc). Rather than having to pay exorbitant prices to have a taxi take you around, you can instead, through Udrive, find a nearby car and drive it to your destination.
After downloading the app (Apple and Android), the display shows the cars available in the nearby area. Once you have selected a vehicle it and booked it, you can use the app to unlock the door. If you don’t have data, an optional membership card for Dhs50 that can also be used to open the car.
Once inside, dulcet tones of a prerecorded message tell you to “please open the glove box and follow the instructions on the keypad” – after which you can obtain the key fob.
Prices are set at a flat 50 fils a minute and capped at Dhs 120 daily, with petrol and insurance included (filling up at Enoc and EPPCO stations, with a free 20 minutes of drive time provided whenever you top up). Payments are tracked automatically as you go and charged to your credit card; you will also have to pay the mandatory monthly member fee of AED 20.
Once you have finished, you do not have to call up or drive back to the car hire compound – simply park in any public parking space, return the key to the glove box and walk away.
It looks appealing to visiting business travellers, who can input details of their international licences, and residents needing access to a second car. For now the 30-vehicle fleet comprises Toyota Yaris models, which will rise to 200 cars. Initially bookings can only be made in Dubai; availability will spread to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah/northern Emirates as well as Oman.
Source: Udrive
