Pay by the minute car rental in Dubai

According to 7 days UAE, a car rental firm that allows customers to pay by the minute has arrived in Dubai. UDrive claims its system is more convenient and economical than conventional car hire firms. It charges 50 fils per minute or if you exceed four hours then a flat rate of Dhs120 applies for the whole day.

Founder Hasib Khan told 7DAYS: “Our concept aims to be cost-efficient as well as offering clients ease of use. One can find our cars at a location that’s convenient to them, and then simply drive off.

“With petrol and insurance included in the price, and most public parking fees covered, it couldn’t be simpler, and there’s no hidden charges.”

Keyless access through a mobile phone app enables the user to find the car in any car park.

“The app has a map showing you all the cars dotted around Dubai in different areas – it could be on the side of the road in a parking space or in a car park, pretty much anywhere.

“You use the same app to unlock the car by entering a code unique to you. It then opens the car, you get in, open the glove box and take the key console, enter this passcode again and it gives you the key.”

Once finished, the user can leave the car parked at their destination for the next driver to use.

Moreover, UDrive cars come with free petrol and there’s also a replacement service if the vehicle breaks down.

Khan believes that there is a gap in the market for a pay-by-minute rent a car.

“For short-term lease or for a quick chore, pay-by-minute works very well,” he said. “For example, if you want to go from JLT to MOE, UDrive will cost you around Dhs8, while an RTA taxi is a minimum of Dhs12 and the metro doesn’t have the same convenience as you’ll have to walk a lot.

“Even if you exceed four hours, our flat rate of Dhs120 for the day is competitive with all the add-ons we provide.

“The concept is different to regular rent a car services as you can pick up the car in a location convenient to you and drop it off anywhere – there’s no need to take it to a specific rent-a-car shop, for example.”