Industry Trade Group Established for Car-Sharing: Carsharing Association

Carsharing Association, the official trade group of the car-sharing industry, was established by 17 industry organizations to focus on environmental and social impact and responsibility, education, research, and ethical practices.  This story was reported by The Ithaca Journal.

Ithaca Ithaca Carshare has joined with 17 other similar organizations around the world to form an association for the car-sharing industry, the group announced Monday.

The new Carsharing Association will focus on environmental and social impact and responsibility, education, research and ethical practices. The goals of members include reducing the number of cars on the road, relieving congestion and increasing transportation options. Unlike cars-on-demand services, member car sharing organizations are transit-oriented and encourage car sharing as part of a range of choices that includes walking, cycling and transit.

"We view our car-sharing programs as an important public service, providing mobility that fixed-route transit and active transportation can't," said Jennifer Dotson, executive director of Ithaca Carshare, at 13 vehicles and 1,000 members one of the smallest organizations in the new CarSharing Association. Ithaca Carshare began operations in 2008.

Unlike traditional car rental, car sharers use vehicles by the hour at a cost that includes gas, insurance, parking and maintenance. The association encourages closer integration of shared services among member organizations, including roaming memberships, support of other sustainable transportation, and facilitation of research.

CSA members have created and agree to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for carsharing. Key themes include upholding the association's social and environmental commitment, establishing and maintaining standards for the industry, quality of service to members and stakeholders, and vital public education and research.

Other member groups are as close as Buffalo and far away as Sao Paolo, Brazil, and Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, Australia.

Link to original article at The Ithaca Journal.