Skoda has teamed up with three Czech universities to develop a car-sharing platform for students who don’t want to commit to car ownership during their studies.
Called Uniqway, the car-sharing service is the first of its kind in Europe and is available to students and faculty members at three university campuses in Prague.
Students can select from a fleet of 15 Skoda Fabias, paying £1.03 per hour plus 17p per kilometre driven. The fee reduces if the car is used for greater distances or day trips.
The length and distance of the rental period is tracked and paid for via an app. Pick up and drop off points are available in assigned areas near university buildings, halls of residence and free parking areas around Prague.
Skoda says the car-sharing platform “could see great demand in the future”, referencing the 2.3 million people enrolled in higher education each year in the UK.
Many UK universities promote car-sharing schemes via their websites, with some schemes operated via the Liftshare network. A commuter could save over £1,000 a year by sharing a car, says Liftshare.
Students can also arrange pay-as-you-drive car hire via the Co-wheels car club. The service is available in 24 university towns and cities, with students paying a lifetime membership fee of £25 and committing to a minimum spend of £5 per month.
If Skoda’s car-sharing trial is successful, it could be rolled out across the rest of Europe.
