Cityhop New Zealand's first car share service – cars by the hour

The smart councils around the world recognise that public transport and car share go hand in hand. Toronto is the latest city to put car share spaces at major public transportation locations to support and encourage its residents to reduce their reliance on cars.

Karen Stintz, chair of the Toronto Transit Commissionsays, “Offering the convenience of Zipcars (car share)  at some of our busiest subway stations is a strategic move for the TTC as we continually seek to make the subway a more accessible and efficient system for Toronto commuters.”

Says Zipcar Toronto manager, Michael Lende ”Zipsters  now have even greater access to car sharing — a proven cost-effective transportation option and part of a sustainable lifestyle, which complements the use of public transit.”

“Marking the first reserved parking program of any kind at TTC commuter parking lots, eight Zipcar vehicles, in pods of two, will be located at the Leslie subway station, Wilson subway station, Eglinton West subway station and the Keele subway station. “

Reports the Melbourne Leader, Car share companies are growing so fast Melbourne council is scrambling to work out how to accommodate them in the CBD.

“Council figures show the number of car share spaces provided in the City of Melbourne has risen from 33 to 68 in the six months to March – despite there being no on-street car share spaces in the CBD.”

GoGet, whom Cityhop has a reciprocal relationship with, recently announced eight new vehicles for Carlton after membership in the suburb increased 71 per cent since January.

The Mayor, Len Brown was over heard talking about the Council getting electric cars for the council fleet. Let’s hope they get the hang of car share first! Spread the word.. it works overseas!

All over the world people are complaining about petrol price increases. The people who aren’t complaining are those who car share!

The Chicago Tribune had a story today about who car sharing suits. If you use your car say two to three times a week and walk, bike or use public transport then it will probably work for you. If you are driving your kids to school daily  then it probably won’t work for you!

“According to AAA, the average American spends $7,319 a year to own, operate and maintain their cars. I-GO Car Sharing says its members spend about $2,520 per year on transportation. ”

Cityhop members who are carless spend on average a lot less than that. “Most kiwis, ” says Victoria Carter, co founder, “never take into account what the real cost of their car in the driveway is, let alone the costs of filling it with petrol or the WOF.”

Our members pay a $75 membership fee annually and then pay an hourly rental cost that is capped ($75 for 24 hours). Th3 $15  hourly rental includes petrol, maintenance and everything else! I’t s just like mum’s car! If you sell your car and start car sharing, you can stop worrying about petrol price increases.”

Car park operators and car share companies all feel it when petrol prices increase.  Fewer people choose to drive to work and more people start enquiring about car share.

 News that petrol was back up to $2 a litre was particularly painful -up 22 cents since September.

 Yahoo!Xtra commentators  were suspicious of the timing of the announcement, 145 people commented.

• “What a Christmas present! Mind you I don’t remember saying “All I want for Christmas is a petrol rise”!”

• “Just great right on Christmas! The oil companies in NZ are ratcheting up the price and their margins steadily even while we have a high NZD.”

• “Thanks a lot fuel companies – Merry Xmas to you too!! Hope your executives enjoy spending their fat bonus cheques this festive season.”

Others were looking forward into the future:

• “It’s a good lesson for us to restrict the use of our vehicles and use our feet. It is surprising how much we waste our fuels on unnecessary travel to the shops, supermarket etc. Prepare a plan and stick to it and at the same time we can stick it the fuel companies!”

• “You should look forward with confidence to petrol at $2.50 litre! It wont be long.”

• “We need to stop being so dependent on oil. The world has not changed from this primitive fuel since it was first used for engines. Surely mankind has evolved enough in the last 100 years or so that we can find a cheap clean alternative other than the crude and energy wasting process from oil to petrol.”

Maybe it is time to think about whether we do need to drive as much as we do. Car sharing is the viable alternative to car ownership -  affordable wheels when you need them.