Five years ago, in June 2008, Ithaca Carshare was formed as a result of community members coming together to create a vision. Ithaca Carshare, a transit-oriented service, offers self-serve access to vehicles when needed, without the ongoing high cost of ownership. This model makes independent transportation affordable to more people, supports everyday bus riding, bicycling and walking, and is also a reliable back-up for bus commuters, carpoolers and single car families. “Carshare has made a huge difference in my life! I save a lot of time compared to riding the bus for everything, and a ton of money compared to buying a car,” says member Christine Stenglein. Ithaca Carshare launched with six cars and a truck serving about 60 members in 2008, and five years later has grown to 1300 members served by a fleet over three times that size, with 23 vehicles, including a minivan and that same pickup truck.
