http://carsharingworld.com Carshare news & analysis Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:17:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en It appears U Car Share has made some changes, and they are for the better. I spoke of them last month and might have said some fairly strong criticisms about them, but it was in hope they would change for the better. The changes are small, for now, but they include:   A ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/08/u-car-share-revamping-service/ It looks like Zipcar is feeling the pinch of higher prices! As of August 18th, they are raising prices in all markets without a revenue guarantee, with one exception. They are also supposedly raising the per mile price(once the 180 free miles are used) by $.10. They are also expanding their ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/08/zipcar-raising-prices-august-18th-adding-more-weekend-rates/ Uh-oh. Looks like PhillyCarShare has had some vandalism problems, per their website: Important Notice: Gas cards have been removed from all PhillyCarShare vehicles on a temporary basis due to repeated and widespread vandalism to the vehicles. In order to keep your cars in service (so you can use them!) we must ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/08/gas-cards-temporarily-removed-from-phillycarshare-vehicles/ Look at the fleet of most carsharing organizations in the United States today, and you'll see a lot of similarities: fuel-efficient, hybrids, cute, and barebones. Most of the cars are 'fleet' cars, and come with almost no options, and generally have the smallest engine choice as well. This subtle point, ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/07/carsharing-driving-in-the-lack-of-luxury/ Had a long weekend including a 700-mile roadtrip from Chicago to Philly(don't ask), and am exhausted. I apologize for the lack of posts in the past few days, and promise new posts coming tomorrow. http://carsharingworld.com/2008/07/long-weekend/ PhillyCarShare will be adding three new car models shortly: The Acura TL, Scion xD, and Toyota Corolla. The xD and Corolla are meant to temporarily replace hybrids leaving the fleet, and the TL will be a new addition to the upscale line that PhillyCarShare has. Clayton Lane, AICP and Deputy Executive ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/07/phillycarshare-adds-cars-55000th-member/ It appears that Los Angeles is trying to get Zipcar back. The nation's second largest city is reportedly debating whether or not to give free parking in neighborhoods near the two LA colleges Zipcar still has cars: USC and UCLA. The move would possibly give a second chance at carsharing ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/07/la-attempting-to-re-court-zipcar/ One of the biggest problems with carsharing is the lack of making one-way journeys. It means that needing to go a short distance for the day can cost $50 or more, depending on your carsharing outfit. If this problem can be solved, then you will open the floodgates to new ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/07/one-way-carsharing-algorithm-made-but-can-it-work/ Today marks the first day of Zipcar's low car diet. In all of their major markets, participants will get $100 zipcar credit, mass transit pass, and various other schwag depending on their market, including Whole Foods gift card, health club passes, VitaminWater, etc. The program is meant to show how people ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/07/zipcars-low-car-diet-begins-today/ This weekly post summarizes, and occasionally lightly discusses, some of the more minor pieces of carsharing news throughout the week. In this issue: PhillyCarShare retires last of their Beetle Convertibles HourCar adding 10 more Priuses over next two years CTA gives 45 more El parking spots to Zipcar and I-GO Chicago Now the full ... http://carsharingworld.com/2008/07/odds-and-ends-july-20-2008/