What is Ithaca Carshare? Ithaca Carshare is a membership-based service that provides 24/7 access to vehicles on an hourly basis. As a member, you reserve a car on the web or over the phone. You unlock the car with a special keyfob or keycard, drive it as if it were your own, and return it to the same location, where you lock it with your fob or card and leave it. Members pay a hourly and mileage rate for use of the car. You are not charged additional fees for gas, insurance, maintenance, cleaning, or permanent parking.


Is there a benefit for students, faculty or staff of Cornell University or Ithaca College?
Ithaca Carshare is excited to offer special membership rates to the college communities in Ithaca. Both Cornell University and Ithaca College offer special rates and packages for students and faculty/staff. You can find the full details on our College Rates page.


Is Ithaca Carshare affiliated with any other carsharing organizations? Ithaca Carshare is part of a growing network of independent carsharing organizations with 2,000 vehicles and 75,000 members in over three dozen cities in North America, including Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Toronto, San Francisco, Vancouver, Boulder, Austin, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Madison, Kitchener/Waterloo (ON), Montreal, and Ottawa.


How is carsharing different from car rental? Ithaca Carshare is instant access to a network of cars throughout the city, 24 hours-a-day, paying per trip, without commitment or inconvenience. Members have convenient, direct access to vehicles without the necessity of repeating paperwork or paying extra fees. Reserving cars can be done online via an automated phone syste, at any time of the day or night. Once membership is approved, there is no need to visit an office to sign a contract or to pick up keys whenever you need a car. If you drive less than about 7,500 miles a year and you don't need a car for work every day, carsharing will likely save you thousands of dollars a year, give you greater mobility - and actually reduce pollution.

What kind of vehicles are available? We are committed to fuel and emissions efficiency, and to purchasing only vehicles with high fuel economy and low emissions. Ithaca Carshare's initial fleet is all new fuel-efficient Nissan Versa 5-door hatchbacks, but will also soon include one Ford Ranger pickup. As Ithaca Carshare grows, we’ll be adding hybrid vehicles for even better gas mileage performance and lower emissions, as well as some more specialized vehicles such as a minivan.
 

 

Will Ithaca Carshare have hybrids? We will be adding hybrid vehicles as soon as we can. All of our vehicles are as fuel and emissions efficient as we can afford, keeping reasonable rates for our members. Since research indicates that each carshare car takes about 15 cars off the road, we feel confident that even before we can add hybrids to our fleet, we are reducing the environmental and economic impacts of transportation in Ithaca.

 

 
Where will Ithaca Carshare cars be located? Find them on this map! We have 6 vehicles in downtown Ithaca, Fall Creek, Collegetown, on the Cornell University and Ithaca College campuses, and at EcoVillage. As usage grows, we will add cars and other vehicles in locations convenient to members, most likely in densely populated areas and/or employment centers.


Is carsharing less expensive than owning a car? The average cost of owning a car in the U.S. is around $650 a month, when the cost of fuel, insurance, upkeep, repairs, and loan or lease payments are taken into account. Contrasted with the average daily use of car – less than an hour-and-a-half a day – car ownership works out to be about $15 an hour of usage. For many people, carsharing offers much of same convenience, privacy, and flexibility of owning a car, for less than the cost of owning.


What about insurance? If you're at least 18 and have two years of driving experience, you can apply for Ithaca Carshare membership. For members 21 and up, you are covered by Ithaca Carshare’s insurance. If you are 18 – 20, you must also be covered by another auto liability insurance policy and provide proof of this to us.  Ithaca Carshare provides a high level of insurance — up to $1,000,000 per incident. As a member, you're only responsible for a $500 deductible.


What are the membership qualifications? Ithaca Carshare offers membership to drivers age 18 and up, who have a valid driver’s license and who meet minimum eligibility requirements, including 2 years of driving history.

 

How does the application process work? Just fill out an application for membership, which you can access by clicking here. When you submit your application, we will charge your credit card for the $30 application fee and process your membership, which takes 1 to 2 business days (slightly longer in these first few weeks). Once you are approved for membership, we will process your membership fee to the credit card that you provided, and notify you by email with instructions on completing an orientation and getting your member materials and key card or fob.


How do I find the car I reserved? Each Ithaca Carshare vehicle is parked in its own marked space. All vehicle locations are shown on this map, and all our cars carry the Ithaca Carshare logo.


How do I get the keys? Your special keyfob or keycard will unlock the car you’ve reserved. The ignition key will be in the vehicle. All of these details are outlined in our Member Handbook.


Who keeps the gas tank filled? We all do. One of the responsibilities of membership is to help keep the car fueled. If the gas gauge goes below one-quarter tank, we ask that you stop at a gas station and fill the tank using the Ithaca Carshare fuel card kept in the car.


How far can I drive an Ithaca Carshare car? There are no limits to how far you drive, but all usage must be round-trip, not one-way. You must return the car to the spot where you picked it up.


How long can I keep an Ithaca Carshare car? If the car is available, you may reserve it for as long as you need it, via web or phone.


What are other rules for carsharing? When you become a member, you complete a short orientation and receive our Member Handbook, outlining the requirements of membership. Ithaca Carshare members are expected to use the vehicles responsibly and have consideration for the other members. For instance, we expect you to return the car on time, keep the car clean, and gas it up if the tank is low. If an infraction occurs, you may be charged a penalty, and if problems continue, membership can be terminated. When in doubt, call us! The number is 607.277.3210.


Why is carsharing “good for the planet"? A 2004 study by the Transportation Research Board showed that for each carsharing vehicle, nearly 15 privately owned cars come off the road. Fewer cars on our streets and highways means less traffic, less wear-and-tear on the infrastructure, and a reduction in climate-altering emissions. Studies also show that more than two-thirds of carshare members either sell their second car or postpone buying one, once carsharing becomes a habit. Because second cars may be older, less efficient, and less well maintained vehicles, getting them off the road means fewer greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air, and quieter neighborhoods. Already we've seen that over half of Ithaca Carshare members are selling or avoiding purchasing cars.


What if I’m late bringing the car back? If you know you’re going to be late, call 607.277.3210. If no one has the car reserved after you, we will extend your reservation. If another member is waiting, we will try to switch them to another vehicle or find them a taxi. In either of those cases, the cost incurred will be charged to your account.


What if the car I reserved isn’t there? Call us immediately at 607.277.3210 and we will do our best to help you find another car, or get to your destination another way.


What if there's a crash? Call the police, just as you would for any car crash or fender bender and make sure everyone involved is safe or is being cared for. Then call us immediately.