Toyota launches its "˜Hui' car sharing service in Honolulu

Hui, a round-trip, station-based car share service, has announced the public launch of its service. Hui is considered one of the most innovative car share services to hit the Hawaii market, allowing members to locate, reserve, and manage payments through its mobile app. The service also utilises Toyota's Smart Key Box technology, which generates a digital key that allows Hui users to lock and unlock, as well as start vehicles via their smartphone.

Seventy Hui vehicles are now available for reservations by the minute or day at more than 25 easily accessible locations throughout Honolulu. Vehicles available at launch include higher-end Toyota Prius, Prius Prime and Camry XSE models, as well as Lexus RX 350 Luxury and RX F Sport vehicles. Hui vehicles are parked in marked, reserved stalls for easy pick up and drop off.

Hui has partnered with various private partners to establish accessible and convenient station locations around Honolulu including Ala Moana Center, Foodland, Hawaii Pacific University, Hawaii Pacific Health, and Ward Shopping Center. For more information on pricing, all station locations, and terms of service, please visit www.drivehui.com.

"Accessibility, convenience and reliability are key pillars of our Hui service, so we will continue to add more stations throughout Oahu with the help of our private and public mobility partners," said Peter Fukunaga, director of Hui. "We are also open to expanding our service to Neighbor Island residents and interisland travelers as well."

All new Hui users will be automatically enrolled in Hui's ELITE membership plan, which features pricing starting at $9.95/hour and $79.95/day plus a monthly fee that will be waived for at least the first three months after launch. The company plans to introduce a pay-as-you-go FREEDOM membership plan, which features no monthly fee but higher hourly rates and a Hui Perks program for ELITE members later this year. All membership plans include gas, insurance, taxes, fees and 24/7 roadside assistance in the reservation cost.

"With Hui, everything can be done through the Hui app," added Fukunaga. "From booking to drop off, our members never have to talk to anyone, unless they want to, of course."

The launch is a significant milestone for Servco Pacific Inc. (Servco) and Toyota Connected North America, who developed the service

together as the first global pilot on Toyota's new Mobility Services Platform. Servco sees Hui as a new mobility option for Honolulu residents and visitors who are looking for access to a vehicle without the hassle of car ownership or a traditional car rental.

"Hui is an amenity designed to complement bike share, public transportation, ride share, and other existing mobility options," said Fukunaga.