Is your car is gathering dust in a Downtown parking garage because you use it so occasionally?
Go ahead! Dump the extra car, put that cost to much better use and start car sharing!
Though car sharing programs normally begin when big businesses or universities get involved, (offering their cars when available to nearby residents as a way to offset their costs), the DLA recognized the benefit for residents, so we decided to take it upon ourselves to get things going and went about finding a sponsor.
And, we did it – car sharing in Downtown Raleigh starts today!
Ann-Cabell Baum Andersen, a board member of the DLA and owner of Glenwood Agency, is sponsoring the initial two cars for the program. On behalf of all Downtown residents, we thank her for stepping up and making it all happen.
“I’m confident that other downtown businesses will want to join me in supporting a car- sharing program that provides alternative transportation options for their employees,” said Baum Andersen. “The people in the downtown Raleigh community have always supported my business and I wanted to give back to the community. What better way than to help launch a car-share program?”
The city government agrees that this kind of alternative transit option is needed, and now that the service is here, we expect other businesses government agencies, and possibly even local universities to jump on board.
“Providing a car-sharing option to the residents and business community in downtown Raleigh is a step in achieving our mission of supporting balanced and sustainable growth for downtown”, said Mayor Meeker. “Offering residents and downtown workers an efficient and convenient transportation solution through WeCar, makes using other methods of transportation a more viable option for day-to-day commuting.”
What is Car Sharing?
Car sharing is a group car rental program in which members share a common vehicle, each reserving the vehicle for specified periods of time, paying a $10 per hour (fuel included) for the use of that vehicle. The cars sit ready and waiting 24/7 at convenient locations in the city.
To take part, members simply go online and reserve a car for as long as they need it. The process is fully managed online, and vehicles are picked up and dropped off at designated locations.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car located at 431 S. MacDowell Street is the service provider under their car sharing service known as WeCar. One car will be parked on their lot, and the other located in Glenwood South (off West Street, next to the Mirage Night Club). Both locations are conveniently located, just a short walk from stops on the Downtown Circulator, the R-Line.
Advantages of Car Sharing for residents – Save Money!
- Rent only for the time you need the car
- Allows Downtown residents the option of forgoing the expense of owning a second car
And, car sharing has the potential for making Downtown living more affordable as multi-unit building owners begin to uncouple parking from the cost of the unit for those residents who forego a car. And likewise, developers may be encouraged to construct buildings with fewer parking areas and pass on the savings to reduce housing costs.
Come celebrate the launch of car sharing in Raleigh at our DLA Mixer tomorrow tonight (5-7pm) at The Mint,
. . where DLA members can take advantage of a members-only promotion.
Note: The DLA is a volunteer organization and is supporting this service for the benefit of Downtown Raleigh residents. The DLA receives no financial benefit from Enterprise or WeCar for their support.
Thank you, DLA, for the vision to recognize the need and the leadership to provide a downtown amenity that will reduce cost and improve the environment of Downtown Raleigh for its residents!
Thank you to the Glenwood Agency for sponsoring this impotant asset for downtown.
Very Exciting!!!! I’m signing up!!!!! Thank you Glenwood Agency for pioneering this program and the effort of the DLA. It is great to be a part of an organization that gets stuff done. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great addition to downtown Raleigh. Providing more choices to those that live in the area will make it more attractive and helps create an urban environment that is less car-centric. Way to go!
Bringing this service to our Downtown has been an important initiative for the DLA. We are happy to report that the City of Raleigh is now looking at providing up to 4 additional cars, working in partnership with both NCSU and Meredith College.