South Africa-based car-sharing company, Locomute will begin operations by June 1, 2015, reports TechCentral.
Prospective users are required to register on the startups website and subsequently download its mobile app to monitor the location of Locomute vehicles, make bookings and access these cars. The startup is drawing copiously from Zipcar’s playbook. Users will be provided with smartcards through which they can unlock Locomute cars.
Once users rent the cars, they can simply leave the car at any designated Locomute park closest to them. The rental service covers the vehicle’s fuel, insurance and e-toll charges.
Twenty six vehicles will be made available at the time of its launch in areas such as Gauteng, Centurion, Menlyn and Hatfield in Pretoria while it will also be available in Morningside and Fourways in Johannesburg and Waterfall in Midrand. The company is also looking into expanding its reach.
One off users will get to pay $10 for the cars besides hourly and distance rate covered during useage. Subscribers will however pay $42 initiation fee and a $4 monthly fee, this is also besides the hourly and distance charge.
The android app will be available this week while the iOS version will be released before the launch date.
Founded by Tumi Marope and Ntando Kubheka, Locomute began as an MBA project at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.
Source: TechCentral
