Udrive and RTA launch branded fleet for Hatta commuters

Udrive, the dedicated pay-per-minute car rental platform, has launched an exclusive fleet to enable smoother mobility to and from Hatta for residents and tourists to explore recreational, cultural and natural attractions in the Highlands of Dubai. The offering has been launched in partnership with Dubai’s RTA and Dubai Holding to bring unique exclusive offers to the community.

The Hatta offering is in line with the UAE’s innovative tourism campaign, “World’s Coolest Winter,” which aims to promote domestic travel within the UAE while drawing in foreign travellers by emphasising the nation’s most well-known tourist, cultural, and natural attractions. The programme reached 1.3 million more visitors last year, a 36% increase in domestic tourism. Udrive and RTA are offering travellers a dependable and practical transportation solution by encouraging more seamless mobility between Hatta and Dubai.

Adel Shakeri, Director of Planning and Business Development, Public Transport Agency, RTA said “RTA’s strategy is focused on providing an integrated transportation network between Dubai and Hatta, which continues to strengthen its position as a major tourism destination. With the tourist season in full swing, we align ourselves with key strategic partners, such as Udrive, to provide seamless travel for both visitors and residents of the UAE who are looking for somewhere special to spend quality time.”

Udrive, a local start-up, is expanding its car-sharing services in the UAE by continually diversifying its vehicle fleet and increasing its availability for customers. The company’s goal is to support the Dubai 2040 Urban Plan’s aim of creating a 20-minute city by reducing the stress of travelling and improving connectivity for passengers across the Emirates. The pay-per-minute car-sharing vehicles are used for three to five trips a day, and Udrive has nearly 1,000 cars in its fleet in the UAE and has recently expanded into Saudi Arabia as well. With 380,000 registered users and 2 million trips since its launch in 2016, Udrive remains focused on satisfying its customer base by increasing the supply of vehicles.

Nicholas Watson, Co-founder and CEO of Udrive said “Hatta, for many, is one of the UAE’s unexplored gems that gives a truly fantastic range of possibilities for tourists. Being part of Dubai, and working alongside the vision of the city, it is exhilarating for us to deliver unforgettable leisure experiences for residents and tourists alike.

It is a region that requires motor-vehicle transport to access and with our ambition to give the freedom of mobility to the entire UAE population, this partnership is mutually aligned and a strategic use of our platform to better connect people with Hatta as a top adventure destination.”

The Hatta fleet has been activated with increased mileage allowances within the Udrive platform to provide affordable mobility solutions to and from the destination. Users will be able to book one of the dedicated cars to travel and/or from the Highlands of Dubai in comfort while having the flexibility to use the car within Hatta to explore some of its best attractions. Currently, the offering is available to Udrive customers in Dubai, with plans to expand it into other Emirates.

The Hatta fleet has distinctive branding to set it apart from other Udrive cars. Using the extended distance limit, drivers can extend their initial day of driving by up to two more days for a fee of AED 99. This is in contrast to Udrive’s daily fleet, which has a 100km per trip limit. The fleet’s introduction includes roomy Mitsubishi Pajero SUVs so customers may travel in comfort while hauling friends and family.

Watson added “Expansive mobility, innovative digital ecosystem and supporting Dubai’s mobility landscape to accommodate exponential growth and development are all part of Udrive’s vision and this offering ticks all our boxes. Innovation is an ongoing journey at Udrive and after three months in development, we are excited to expand the boundaries of travel and integrate the best experiences at our community’s fingertips. With several new and existing destinations, the scope for developing innovations and connecting people through mobility is wide and Udrive is keen to continue enhancing this in the future.”