Community Car is a member-based business that provides cars
by the hour for Madison residents and organizations. Members share access to a fleet of high gas-mileage vehicles
located in reserved parking spots throughout the city. Members get a code that accesses all
cars in the fleet. Members can reserve cars on the web or by telephone and pay
for the hours and miles they drive, plus a monthly membership fee.
Insurance, gasoline and maintenance are included in the
rates.Carsharing is for people who want access to a vehicle for occasional use,
either because they don’t own a car or because they occasionally need a
second car. For businesses and
organizations carsharing can augment or replace fleet vehicles or provide an
amenity to employees who wish to carpool or bike to work. People join carsharing organizations
because it’s economical, convenient and good for the environment.
The first Community Cars are a Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda
Civic conventional. A Ford Ranger
pick-up is coming. Cars are located
at the Brayton Lot (East Washington Avenue at Butler Street), Willy Street
Co-op and Monroe Street Library (1701 Monroe Street).The mission of Community
Car is to reduce the environmental and social impact of the automobile on our
cities and promote a healthy urban environment. Studies have found an average 50% reduction in car use among
people who join carsharing organizations.
Community Car:
·
Reduces
air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions – for example, every gallon of
gasoline burned while driving releases twenty pounds of CO2 into the
atmosphere
·
Improves
member’s health from increased biking and walking
·
Provides
an affordable car option for moderate-income households
·
Provides
greater vehicle choice – members choose from hybrid gas-electric sedans,
conventional gas sedans and pickup trucks
·
Decreases
parking demand and need for more parking lots
Community
Car is an easy and economical alternative to car ownership. Members drive affordable, reliable cars
without the hassles of changing the oil, washing the car or finding
insurance.Community Car was founded by Sonya Newenhouse, President of Madison
Environmental Group, a planning, research and communication services firm
serving businesses, government and nonprofit organizations. To join Community Car contact Jay Ferm,
President of Community Car, at (608) 204-0000 or jay@CommunityCar.com. View their website at www.CommunityCar.com.
-Jay Ferm
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Fall 2003 Table of Contents