Carsharing: ongoing growth and innovation

Dave Brook's Carsharing.US blog has two recent posts that take stock of the continued rise of carsharing.

The first is a review of carsharing in 2011 and the latest looks at predictions for 2012. Both have an international perspective and are good reads for anyone with an interest in the reinvention of urban transport services.

A few highlights from Dave's assessment of carsharing in 2011: 

Are we seeing a demographic tipping point? — This was the year when the mainstream marketers admitted that many in Gen Y ("the Millennials") weren't thinking about cars the same way their parents were - they'd rather have their iPhone than a car.
...
Parking is fundamental - Parking is a fundamental but often under appreciated aspect of car use. It wasn't until Donald Shoup layed the cards on the table in his landmark "The High Cost of Free Parking" that most of us realized just how fundamental parking really is. And carsharing operators also know how fundamental parking is to the success of their business. That's why designated parking on public streets has been such a holy grail - convenient access and great marketing exposure. And, as you'll see in several items below, some carsharing companies are slicing the parking issue in new ways - car2go and Zebramobil, as well as RelayRides in San Francisco are opting for floating parking (among other things).
...
New service models — ... In 2011 on-demand, open-end, one-way carsharing really burst on the scene - in both Europe and North America. I think it's under-appreciated just how completely new on demand, open-end, one-way carsharing services like car2go, Drive Now and Autolib, really are. On-demand overcomes a significant consumer complaint about traditional carsharing - requiring a reservation and especially having to specify the end time of the trip.

His predictions for 2012 include:

P2P Gets Traction
Zipcar's Year to Prove Themselves
"One-way" Carsharing On a Roll
Continued Double Digit Expansion of Carsharing Worldwide ('... Carsharing has really taken off in Japan ... And China is taking its first steps in carsharing, as well. South America, hello?')

There is a lot more to both of these posts. So go take a look! 

"mo": Combined Mobility is happening

Here is another example of Combined Mobility and a big step towards realising the idea of 'mobility brokers'.

This one is from Germany and it is called "mo". It is being tested and piloted in Munich and features some beautiful design and fascinating innovations to make car-lite living very convenient.

mo is a new mobility system - it helps make the city a better place to live. mo subscribers can rent bikes, cargobikes, ebikes and cars or use public transportation with just one card. With mo it pays to be eco-friendly: choose an eco-friendly transport or use your own bike to collect momiles. The more momiles the lower your bill. For instance if you mostly ride bikes, renting a car gets cheaper.

These two videos explain much better than I could.


Introducing mo from LUNAR Europe on Vimeo.


mo - mobility for tomorrow from LUNAR Europe on Vimeo.

For more details, check out this October 2011 press release about mo.

Hat tip:  Treehugger.

Combined Mobility thinking from UITP

When I wrote my last post "From Carsharing to Mobility Brokers" I didn't realise that the UITP was about to release a position paper on the issue. UITP is the International Association of Public Transport.

I was alerted to UITP's work on this by the cover story of New Transit magazine (7 July 2011 issue) from the UK: "Time to forget modes... the future is in the Mobility Mix". The article is well worth reading. It is subscription only but there is a free preview offer that allows a peek:

Today’s customers have a new attitude to their travel choices. Offering “combined-mobility” across the modes can persuade people away from the private car. So what are the ingredients in this new mix, and who should take the lead on serving them up?

I am particularly interested in that last question!

The UITP report is by its Combined Mobility Platform. The English language version is here as a pdf. Various language versions are available. 

UITP is urging its members "to build intermodal strategic alliances with Combined Mobility services such as taxis, bikes and car-sharing. This is the key to becoming real mobility providers, enabling a more complete offer for customers and delivering lifestyle services."