Carsharing is a sustainable transportation service that provides communities significant social and environmental benefits by reducing the use of vehicles and car ownership. It provides members 24×7 access to a dispersed network of shared vehicles, at unattended self-service locations, at affordable hourly and/or ‘per mile’ rates that include gas, insurance and maintenance. Carsharing allows members to save money over the cost of individual car ownership by encouraging members to drive less, use alternative transportation and utilize fuel efficient vehicles when a car is needed.
Members have access to a network of vehicles and pay only for their actual use. Usage fees cover the cost of fuel, maintenance, and insurance. The carsharing organization owns, maintains, and insures the vehicles which are stationed throughout the community at locations on existing transit lines, in close proximity to bicycle racks, and ultimately, most convenient to its members.
Members reserve and access vehicles through a user-friendly, self-service system and are billed on a fee per use basis. The basis of ownership removes the large up front costs of car ownership which economically encourage the use of private vehicles for all trips.
Carsharing, by its very definition, reduces the number of unnecessary trips, encouraging members to be efficient and conscientious about their vehicle usage, and significantly reducing their vehicle miles traveled thus resulting in lower emissions and improved air quality within the entire region.
