Uber Trials Daily Car Rentals in Australia

Uber has launched a new platform — Uber Rent — that allows ride-hail customers to rent a car. Brisbane, Australia is the first city to trial the service, according to an Uber press announcement.

To use Uber Rent, Uber clients in Brisbane must update the Uber app that allows them to select a rental. The search page is powered by car rental supplier CarTrawler. Users then book a model, date, and location.

The service expands the ride-hail model to allow for longer getaways for those without a car, Uber says. 

According to the announcement, “While many Australians will drive to a wine region, down the coast or explore the mountains in their own car – not everyone has access to their own private vehicle. At Uber we believe you should always be able to get around, even if you don’t own your own car, and Uber Rent is one more way of helping people do just that.”

The program is slated to expand from Brisbane to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide. 

Lyft had started a daily rental service in Los Angeles and San Francisco but has suspended the service due to the coronavirus pandemic.