Archive: Around Town

Owning a car is more expensive than most people realize. Local not-for-profit Ithaca Carshare helps address the high costs of driving through sharing. Members can make reservations as short as 15 minutes, allowing them to pay for car use only during the times they actually need it.

“When you own a car, you pay for it even when you’re not using it.” explains member Elisabeth Harrod. “Carsharing encourages you to plan ahead and to combine trips, and it also means you don’t ever have to worry about taking a car to the shop.”

Now in their third year of operation, Ithaca Carshare celebrates successes and welcomes their 1,000th member. The new Easy Access plan, designed for limited-income households, represents a bold stride forward in affordable transportation for Ithacans.

Taking into account car maintenance, insurance, gas, taxes and finance payments, AAA estimates that the average cost of owning a car is $400-650 per month. Ithaca Carshare covers all those costs. The most active Ithaca Carshare drivers spend an average of under $100 per month. For income-qualified Easy Access members, the costs are even lower. For those with low incomes who may be completely dependent on buses and taxis, having affordable access to a reliable car can make the difference in getting to a medical appointment, job interview, or picking up a sick child unexpectedly. Thanks to federal grant funds, the Easy Access plan is available at significantly reduced rates to members within eligible income limits.

Wendy Gutman, a Southside Ithaca resident who walks and bikes frequently, joined Ithaca Carshare on the Easy Access plan this summer when her car was in the shop. “Carshare makes it easy to own one or zero cars and to be able to be simultaneously money and eco-conscious,” says Gutman. “It felt great teaching our kids that even adults need to learn how to share!”

Carsharing is good for the community and the environment too. In a recent study, PhillyCarShare found that each of its cars kept approximately 15.3 private cars off the road. With 1,000 members sharing 13 vehicles, Ithaca Carshare is helping reduce parking and traffic congestion in Ithaca. Carshare members tend to bike, walk, and rideshare for more trips, and also combine daily errands into one trip. This means they drive less than most car owners, which has a positive impact on carbon emissions.

Ithaca Carshare has seen steady growth since day one. Approving its one thousandth active member is an important benchmark for this local not-for profit, showing that carsharing is a viable transportation option. The Ithaca Carshare fleet includes twelve cars and a truck that can be driven anywhere, and are available to members by reservation day and night in convenient locations throughout Ithaca.

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