City launches nation’s largest car sharing program

City launches nation’s largest car sharing program

By Mary Tuma Wednesday, 18 November 2009

City employees will be seen cruising greater downtown in fuel-efficient Smart cars for at least the next six months, as Austin and German company Daimler partner up to launch the nation’s largest car-sharing pilot program.

More than 13,000 city employees now have the opportunity to drive 200 available Smart car fortwo models in exchange for on-street parking spaces. Meter fees, estimated to total $85,000 during the sixth-month test run, are to be reimbursed by the car company.

The car2go program, introduced successfully in Ulm, Germany, makes its first appearance in North America with Austin as the test model. More Smart cars plan to be rolled out in the city after the pilot’s duration. Mayor Lee Leffingwell stressed the opportunity to demonstrate a better transit alternative, while not sacrificing convenience, as a priority. Ongoing challenges with urban growth, mobility and environmental sustainability make the program’s arrival opportune.

“This partnership represents a significant step toward helping us alleviate congestion, reduce emissions and increase the use of public transportation,” he said. City manager Marc Ott characterized the program as another component to the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan, an ongoing local effort toward providing cost effective and sustainable modes of transportation. The initiative, he said, will aid in reducing urban congestion and help the city downsize its carbon footprint. “There is certainly not one single solution,” he said. “But by promoting large-scale car sharing, we can help address mobility and environmental challenges in our urban core.”

Daily maintenance, including ensuring the vehicles are clean and fueled, will be handled by an on-the-ground service team, while rates, billed by time not distance, are all- inclusive. Additionally, with one-way service, employees are not limited to dropping cars off in a particular location and can access a vehicle on-the-spot with an assigned PIN number.

Driving routes, mileage, vehicle usage and emissions among city employees will be tracked and evaluated to determine if there are opportunities for vehicle sharing in departments and within building complexes. Director of Transportation, Robert Spillar, is interested in gauging which types of commutes employees are taking as a way to assess driving patterns. “The goal is to change commuter habits,” he said. “And it is more economically advantageous to take short trips as opposed to driving all day.”

The program supplements Austin CarShare, in place since 2006. The nonprofit membership-based organization offers seven vehicles including hybrid cars and a pickup. Councilmember Chris Riley, who commutes via bike, has benefited greatly from Austin CarShare and is excited to see the two programs coexist. “Car share made it easier for me to get around,” he said. “I am hopeful these programs can help significantly reduce vehicle miles,” he said.

Nick Cole, head of car2go in North America, said that with growing interest and increased visibility, he hopes to see car sharing amount to a lifestyle change rather a temporary trend. “My biggest problem so far has been telling people they can’t sign up immediately,” he said. Cole is in talks with several other prospective U.S. and European cities about introducing car2go on their streets. He anticipates the full fleet of cars will be made available to the public in late 2010.

For more information, read Community Impact’s September 2009 story about the car2go program, “Driving smarter,” at more.impactnews.com/5543.