Sunshine Coast taxi, Uber about to compete with new player ScootaBoot

A new Sunshine Coast service has started to get you and your vehicle home if you’ve had a few too many bevvies and should not be behind the wheel. Read how they do it.

A Sunshine Coast business has put a convenient twist on the Uber and taxi game, vowing to get liquored-up folk and their loved ones home in their own vehicles.

Patrons can order the ScootaBoot service online and staff ride their foldable e-bikes to their customers.

They then store the bikes in the boot and drive customers and loved ones home in their own vehicle.

Business founder and co-director Paul Gorton, of Mt Coolum, had the idea 14 years ago when he lived in Canberra.

It was not until chatting about it to his brother, Leigh Gorton, and brother-in-law Nick Baron at a barbecue that the thought got legs.

“They said, ‘it’s such a great idea, it’s perfect for the Sunshine Coast’,” Paul said.

The ScootaBoot e-bikes fold into the boot of customers’ vehicles. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The trio is now the directors and first e-bike riders in the business, which launched on June 3.

Their initial service area is Marcus Beach to Twin Waters, with plans to expand as it becomes more popular and they hire more riders.

“And if we do get jobs in Maroochydore and Mooloolaba and we’re not booked, we’ll go,” Paul said.

The director said the wait time for their service was not much longer than for a more traditional service.

“We travel at roughly 35km/h so it’s not too bad,” he said.

“The thing we’re going to pride ourselves on is that we won’t cancel.

Brothers Leigh and Paul Gorton are two directors of ScootaBoot. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“If you book with us, we’ll get you home.”

ScootaBoot charges a flat rate of $5 per kilometre for the drive home.

The director said all relevant insurance was in place and that the main appeal for customers would be that they were getting home with their car.

“We’re hoping to help eliminate the drink-driving of a night-time and we’re hoping to help eliminate the drink-driving in the morning too,” Paul said.

The director also said it may be an attractive option for parents with young children who still needed their baby or booster seats.

The trio would not throw in their day jobs just yet and they have invested their own cash in the start-up.

“I would happily give up my career to take this on full-time if it takes off,” Paul said.

Customers can book online through the ScootaBoot website or Facebook page, and get in touch with the trio via Facebook or Instagram.