Car Sharing Association Announced; Chicago’s I-GO Car Sharing Among Founding Members
Washington, DC (January 24, 2011)—Eighteen carsharing organizations from around the world have announced formation of an association that sets the ethical, social and environmental bar for the car sharing industry. The driving principles of the new CarSharing Association (CSA) focus on environmental and social impact and responsibility, education, research and ethical practices (www.carsharing.org).
The goals of carsharing organizations in CSA include reducing the number of cars on the road, relieving congestion and increasing transportation options. Unlike “cars on demand” services, member carsharing organizations are “transit-oriented” services, encouraging carsharing as part of a sustainable transportation network of choices that includes walking, cycling, and transit.
“We view our carsharing programs as a form of transit, getting people to the last leg of their destination,” said Sharon Feigon, CEO of I-GO Car Sharing, based in Chicago. “I-GO and other members of the Association provide an important public service that enhances mobility options while creating sustainable communities.”
The Association’s member organizations span from Sydney to Halifax to Minneapolis to Sao Paolo and represent approximately 100,000 members across the globe. CSA members include innovators of carsharing in North America, the oldest of which has been operating since 1994. Unlike traditional car rental, carsharers use vehicles by the hour at a cost that includes gas, insurance, parking and maintenance. The CSA encourages closer integration of shared services among member organizations, including roaming memberships, supporting sustainable transportation and facilitating research.
“Carsharing is a reliable and flexible alternative to car ownership,” states the CSA’s founding document, “Its mission, vision and values lead to actions aimed at decreasing individual car ownership, reducing vehicle distance traveled, improving urban land use and development, and providing affordable access to vehicles for all constituencies – including those less able to afford car ownership.”
CSA members have created and agree to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for carsharing. Key themes include upholding the association’s social and environmental commitment, establishing and maintaining standards for the industry, quality of service to members and stakeholders, and vital public education and research.
Founding members of the Car Sharing Association are:
Ashland CarShare (Ashland) Media contact: Becky Brown ashlandcarshare@gmail.com
AutoShare (Toronto) Media contact: Kevin McLaughlin kevin@autoshare.com
Buffalo CarShare (Buffalo) Media contact: Creighton Randall c.randall@buffalocarshare.org
The Car Co-op & The Company Car (Metro Vancouver) Media contact: Tanya Paz tanya@car.coop
CarShare Vermont (Burlington) Media contact: Candy Page cpage@burlingtonfreepress.com
CarShareHFX (Halifax) Media contact: Pam Cooley pmcooley@carsharehfx.ca
City CarShare (San Francisco) Media contact: Anita Daley adaley@citycarshare.org
CityWheels (Cleveland) Media contact: Ryan McKenzie ryan@mycitywheels.com
Communauto (Montreal) Media contact: Marco Viviani mviviani@communauto.ca
Community Car (Madison) Media contact: John Ribolzi john.ribolzi@communitycar.com
eGo CarShare (Denver and Boulder) Media contact: Karen Worminghaus karen@carshare.org
Goget (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane) Media contact: Bruce Jeffreys bruce@goget.com.au
HOURCAR (Minneapolis/Saint Paul) Media contact: Christopher Bineham christopherb@thenec.org
I-GO Car Sharing (Chicago) Media contact: Sharon Feigon sharon@igocars.org
Ithaca Carshare (Ithaca) Media contact: Jennifer Dotson jennifer@ithacacarshare.org
PhillyCarShare (Philadelphia) Media contact: Judith Harvey judith@phillycarshare.org
VRTUCAR (Ottawa) Media contact: Wilson Wood woodw@vrtcar.com
Zazcar (Sao Paolo) Media contact: Felipe Barroso contato@zazcar.com.br
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CONTACT:
Emily Robinson, Center for Neighborhood Technology, erobinson@cnt.org, 773-269-4043
