Expanding car and bike share services beyond America's big cities and affluent demographics requires adaptability and old economy technologies. Buffalo CarShare is providing a model for success that even the big boys could learn from.
Angie Schmitt profiles Buffalo CarShare, a non-profit organization that is "working to open up car-share to new markets and new demographics." Launched four years ago with a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and NYSDOT, the program now has 500 members.
"Buffalo CarShare is able to reach people with low incomes primarily because — in contrast to Zipcar — it is willing to serve customers face-to-face or through the mail, if need be, [co-founder and executive director Creighton Randall] says. The business operates out of a transit-accessible storefront near the city center — and many of its customers are walk-ins," explains Schmitt. "The organization is also willing to send out bills by mail, or accept money orders. Its 14 cars are sited at 12 different locations across the city."
Next on the organization's agenda is the establishment of a bike share program to serve the residents of what is one of the poorest cities in the country. "They hope the lower initial costs of this system can help make bike-share more accessible to people with a variety of income levels as well," says Schmitt.
FULL STORY: Expanding Car-Share Beyond America’s Biggest Cities
Insurance Regulations Threaten Buffalo's Affordable Car Share Program
The $200,000 non-profit Buffalo CarShare program offer people living in poverty a low-cost option for short-term rentals of cars. Despite state support for the program, state insurance regulations might end it.
Opinion: Boost Public Car Share to Reduce Private Vehicle Ownership
Research shows that consistent access to shared cars drastically reduces car ownership rates, but U.S. regulations often impede success for private fleets.
Dockless Bikes Seized as City of London Cracks Down on Parking
Lime and Forest paid £25,000 in fines to retrieve their property and are negotiating solutions with transportation authorities.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service