In this first instalment of our series on the key values of carsharing, we explore Urban Mobility 2.0 – how shared vehicles are transforming city life in dynamic urban centres, such as Prague and Almaty. With Anytime Carsharing, residents and visitors gain flexible access to reliable transportation, reducing the need for personal car ownership while promoting efficiency and sustainability.

Hundreds of vehicles at your fingertips

In Prague, over 600 shared hybrid Toyota cars – including the efficient Yaris, family-friendly Corolla, spacious C-HR, and compact Aygo X – are distributed across the city. Complementing this, hundreds of lightweight scooters enhance micromobility in the dense city centre. In Almaty, Kazakhstan, the fleet exceeds 750 vehicles, featuring models like the versatile Volkswagen Polo, comfortable Hyundai Sonata / Toyota Camry, modern Omoda C5 or Hyundai Elantra, all ready for urban and beyond-city adventures.

Through the Anytime app, users view a real-time interactive map showing nearby cars (and scooters in Prague). No fixed return spots – park anywhere in the permitted zone, and the app verifies proper parking and locking. This setup benefits young couples, students, and tourists who skip the hassles of ownership, maintenance, parking, or fuelling. Vehicles are available city-wide, ready in seconds.

Real-life example: In Prague, Markéta books a scooter from Dejvice to zip to a meeting in Karlín, then switches to a Toyota C-HR for the return with groceries. In Almaty, Aigerim, a student, grabs a Volkswagen Polo from the city centre to head to Kapchagai Lake for a quick getaway, avoiding traffic and enjoying the scenic drive – all without owning a car.

Sharing vs. owning: a financial and time comparison

Carsharing’s pay-as-you-drive model means you only cover actual usage. In Prague, rates start at CZK 0.99/min (~€0.04 /min) + CZK 2.99/km (~€0.12 /min), including petrol, insurance, maintenance, and more. In Almaty, it is from KZT 49/min (~€0.10 /min) + km charges, with all costs like gasoline, parking, and washing bundled in – no deposits required.

Owning a car? Expect ongoing expenses: monthly leases, servicing, inspections, tires, fuel, and permits. In Kazakhstan, annual costs can exceed KZT 1,000,000 (~€2,083), including KZT 314,930 (~€656) on fuel, KZT 106,340 (~€222) on maintenance, and KZT 203,273 (~€424) on insurance. Most cars sit idle 95% of the time. For flexibility-loving millennials and Gen Z, carsharing offers instant access without long-term commitments.

Time savings shine too: Reserve for 20 minutes free, unlock via phone – no keys or paperwork. Example: Ondřej in Prague uses a scooter to the metro, then a Yaris for dinner. In Almaty, Yerlan, an IT specialist, books a BMW 320i for a business meeting, then extends for a family outing to Charyn Canyon (accompanied by stunning videos of these top tourist spots).

Multimodal combinations: how to combine rides efficiently

Urban Mobility 2.0 connects transport modes seamlessly. In Prague, mix scooters for short trips with cars for longer hauls, or integrate public transit. A journey might start on a scooter and end with a car – all in one app reservation. Vehicles near transit hubs minimise wandering.

In Almaty, focus on cars for navigating bustling streets or weekend escapes, combining with economy class or picking business class for a long ride journey. Plan efficiently: from downtown to suburbs without detours. This multimodal approach cuts congestion and enhances city flow in growing metropolises.

Challenges and future trends in urban mobility

Globally, carsharing grows, but faces price sensitivity, regulations, and taxi competition. In Czechia, some operators stall, yet Anytime expands with hybrids and scooters. Kazakhstan sees similar dynamics – competition from apps, such as Yandex Taxi, but rising demand drives fleet growth. Cities need supportive policies: dedicated parking and multimodal hubs.

Trends include flat-rate packages (hourly/weekend) managed in-app. The future? Electric vehicles with charging in Almaty, autonomous options for last-mile, and data-optimized routes for sustainability.

This evolution decentralises mobility, prioritising eco-friendliness and efficiency.

To learn more about how Anytime Carsharing is reshaping urban mobility in Prague, Almaty, and beyond, feel free to contact us at info@mikrokapital.com.