Coast firm unveils own rideshare app
GOLD Coast company Zero Drivers is hoping its homegrown version of ridesharing app Uber will find favour with Queensland consumers.
The business, which has provided a personal driver or dial-a-driver service since 1999, earlier this month launched an app it says offers several differences from the global behemoth. They include giving customers the option to choose their favourite driver, make advanced bookings and eliminating surcharges at peak times.
Chief executive Julie Mauger said it wasn’t until the State Government legalised the industry in the last year that they embarked on developing a ridesharing app.
“Our previous business model was based on us driving other people for them,” she said. “But people were saying since Uber came along, ‘ why don’t you do what they are doing?’ Since the legislation changed we have developed software that offers both a personalised driving service and ridesharing service.”
Ms Mauger said what it was offering was a “premium service” rather than competing directly with Uber.
“Most of our customers are the more discerning end of the market. They tend to be professional people.”
She said since the ‘soft launch’ of the service, they had recruited 50 drivers with plenty more wanting to hitch a ride.
“I have 200 applications waiting to be read,” she said.
“We have been really surprised. Most of the applications are from Uber drivers who have been less than impressed by what Uber was doing.” She said they had seen strong numbers downloading the app, which she was expecting to double or triple by Christmas.
“The drivers are very excited about it,” she said. “For them it offers the chance to build their own business because clients can choose them every time to drive.
“We are offering it just on the Gold Coast currently because we want to iron out any wrinkles before it is launched to the … wider market.”