Sunday, April 26, 2009

Carsharing comes to Denver

(from www.greenprintdenver.org)

Ready to Go Multi-Modal?

A new travel option is coming to Denver. Carsharing is currently available in more than 40 US cities, and beginning this spring, Denver will join that list. This alternative to personal car ownership provides members hourly use of vehicles—without the costs of insurance, maintenance or even gas. Not a new concept, carsharing organizations (not carpooling) have operated for more than 20 years worldwide.

keyfob

Photo of key fob

Carsharing provides a perfect supplement to transit, cycling and walking, for those times when you just need a car, whether at work or at home. It’s a good reason to downsize from two cars to one (or even none) if you want to save money, live or work in an area with parking challenges, or if you want to make more green-living choices. With options, it’s easier to think twice about the appropriate transportation mode for each trip and drive less. This helps create places that are more people oriented, economically vibrant, eco-friendly and easier and more efficient to travel to and through.

Now, a local nonprofit with over eight years’ experience as a successful carshare organization in Boulder, eGo CarShare, is expanding to provide service in the metro Denver area. Members pay a small fee to join and monthly (with a good driving record) and then reserve cars online as needed for a low hourly rate (currently $4), to use any of their fleet of new, fuel-efficient vehicles parked in convenient, nearby locations and accessed with a special key “fob.” Cars should be available in Denver in the next month. For more information, visit www.carshare.org.

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