START-UP OFFERS QUICK ROUTE TO CASH
A CAR sharing start-up is promising Gold Coasters an income of up to $7000 a year – and they don’t even need to get behind the wheel.
Car Next Door allows people to rent out their cars when they aren’t being used with membership and insurance for owners costing just $60 a month.
Car Next Door CEO Will Davies said the platform had already launched successfully in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. “Central to our success is a strict membership criteria,” he said.
“Insurance, membership checks and a user rating system have been critical in getting people comfortable with the concept of sharing their cars.”
Tourist Daniela Koeppel, 25, said she didn’t own a car, so the platform was perfect for her.
“I’m here on holidays and use it to get around and go surfing,” she said.
“I try to surf every day (and) it’s made it so much easier because the tram ends in Broadbeach and the buses are slow.
“Compared to a car rental company it’s much cheaper and super handy.”
Gold Coaster Darrin Anderson, 51, said he had been renting out a car on the platform for nearly a month.
“My partner rents out an apartment in Broadbeach and there was (a car) sitting around doing nothing,” he said. “I think Car Next Door is good cost-wise and there’s a good environmental aspect ... I think it’s the way of the future, it keeps people from buying cars.”