Areport in the UK last year said that carsharing schemes could become a "mainstream" part of London's transport system by 2020, with around 800,000 members. According to the report, car sharing businesses could see 79,000 fewer cars on UK roads which would bring a big reduction in emissions.
The report even stated that car-sharing schemes could increase productivity and economic activity due to reduced congestion.
One of the most well known car-sharing schemes is run by Zipcar, which operates in 50 cities around Europe and the US. Essentially you join up and then find a car through a smartphone app. Cars are parked at various spots around the cities and when you get to one you swipe your membership card over the card reader, the car unlocks and off you go. When done, you return the car to where you collected it or park it at another approved location.
Now this innovation has arrived in SA courtesy of a company called Locomute. Officially the service goes live on 1 June in Gauteng, with plans to roll out to other cities in SA, and into other African countries.
Membership costs R499 a year, which includes access to the vehicles and 50km of mileage a month. The use of a car costs R32/hr with a minimum use of one hour and a maximum of eight. Additional mileage costs R6.99/km.
Like Zipcar, the service uses an app which allows you to locate and book a vehicle. According to the founder of the Locomute service, Jacquin Botha, there will be 20 vehicles available when the service starts, which will be located at Locoparks around Gauteng. This will include the Gautrain stations, OR Tambo International Airport and major shopping centres like Sandton City. Currently the cars are all Fiat 500L models, but there are plans to add Alfa Romeo derivatives and Botha says they are also looking at electric car options too.
Once you join up, you are sent a Locomuter membership card. Book a car and then all you have to do is swipe your card over the German developed card reader in the windscreen of the car. Through the reader or via a code sent to your smartphone, the car can be unlocked and you will be given access to the key. Then you will be on your way.
It seems very simple and could be the ideal solution for those people who only need a car in the city now and again. Land at OR Tambo, jump in a car and head to a business meeting and then simply return it and get on your return flight. If you are a regular Gautrain user and you leave your car at home, then it could also be the option for when you need to go to a meeting outside of the office.
While there are plenty of ways to get around our cities these days, including the Gautrain, Uber and public transport, the arrival of Africa's firstcar-sharing scheme provides a new option. It could be the answer many people have been looking for and it will be interesting to see how well the scheme is accepted in both private and corporate circles. We hope to put it to the test and will let you know if it is all as simple as it sounds.
Source: Business Day
