Car sharing, which is particularly widespread in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands, is developing steadily in France, and especially in Lyon.
Car sharing is an innovative mobility service whereby a fleet of vehicles is made available to subscription holders to use as and when they need. Car sharing is an alternative to owning a car, something which is often costly and underused, and it is therefore particularly suited to occasional short distance travel which is difficult to carry out using public transport.
This service is often provided by a service company, a cooperative or an association. It can be offered to the general public but also to businesses or government agencies for the work-related travel of their employees.
Simple, comfortable and easy to use
Once you are a member of the scheme, you simply reserve the vehicle of your choice: a city car for getting around urban areas or a small commercial vehicle for the month's shopping. The bookings are made by internet or over the phone and the vehicles are self-service, 24/7! They can be rented for an hour, a day, a weekend or more, for any journey. With street parking places reserved for "car sharing" labelled the vehicles in the heart of residential districts and business parks, you will be able to have access to a car close to home, without worrying about parking.
Economic
Car sharing is also an opportunity to save money and pay a price that is right. Users only pay what they consume, on the basis of the time for which they book the vehicle and the number of kilometres they travel. The rental rates and the possible annual subscription fees include the cost of purchase, insurance, maintenance, vehicle depreciation and taxes, and even fuel. It is all inclusive!
Good citizenship and environmentally friendly
Sharing a fleet of vehicles helps protect the environment. By reducing and optimising the number of cars parked in the streets or driving around the city, car sharing helps to reduce noise and pollutant emissions. Car sharing is the ideal complement to non-motorised or public transport and plays a role in developing multimodal transport, thus freeing up space in the cities to be used for more harmonious purposes.
To access the car sharing services in the Lyon Urban Region:
Auto'lib, the car sharing service in Lyon: www.autolib.fr
And to learn more about car sharing in general:
- Car sharing in France: www.franceautopartage.com
- Legal framework for the development of car sharing: http://www.areneidf.org/medias/fichiers/autopartage-synthes-juridiq.pdf
