[sustran] Re: Is carsharing irrelevant for the Global South?

Madhav Pai MPai at wri.org
Thu Mar 25 19:27:48 JST 2010


A form of car sharing in India very prevalent. 

In most cities you can rent a car/with a driver (half day:4 hours), full
day: 8-12 hours, few days even a few months). The cars are available in
all sizes small sedans to mini vans. The rates are pretty much fixed
across the country. It usually starts at 4 Hours, 40 Kms is 400 Rs (10
USD) for a low small sedan. 

Car ownership may vary between from one car (owner/driver) to a few
thousand cars. 
There is also an increasing number of fleet managers. That take these
cars from individual owners/drivers, use technology elements (GPS
tracking), call center etc and make them available to offices/companies.


Would you call this car sharing?

It would be interesting to study if the availability of these cars
- prevent people from buying cars
- do they end up buying smaller cars for city use and renting these
bigger cars for long trips
- what percentage of car use in our cities are these shared cars?
- if one these large companies could transform themselves into
membership based car sharing entities.


Sincerely;
Madhav Pai
Technical Director
EMBARQ - India


-----Original Message-----
From: sustran-discuss-bounces+mpai=wri.org at list.jca.apc.org
[mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+mpai=wri.org at list.jca.apc.org] On Behalf
Of Eric Britton
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 2:05 PM
To: Sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org
Subject: [sustran] Is carsharing irrelevant for the Global South?

Is carsharing irrelevant for the Global South?  
 
Should be transportation planners and policymakers working in cities the
developing world be taking the time to follow developments in other
places so that they are fully informed about planning and policy matters
as necessary for ensuring successful carsharing in their cities and
countries.
 
We think they should. We (I guess that means me, but not really since I
know I am not alone in this)  firmly believe that carsharing is a
practical transportation alternative that is relevant for  just about
every place in the world where there are people who need to have access
to cars (and vans and trucks). It is not only a proven low carbon way to
have access to and use cars, but it makes economic sense for most
people, and (when it works
properly) is a lot more convenient to boot.
 
So please keep up on carshare developments world wide and bear it in
mind that carsharing is "the last nail in the coffin of old mobility".
 
Eric Britton 
 
For the World Carshare Consortium at  <http://www.worldcarshare.com>
www.worldcarshare.com 
 
 
 
Note: New Paris tel. +331 7550 3788 . Kindly change your records.
 
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Open Edition: www.open.worldstreets.org 8/10, rue Jospeh Bara  .  Paris
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New Mobility Partnerships   .  <http://www.partners.newmobility.org>
www.partners.newmobility.org 
9440 Readcrest Drive  .   Los Angeles, CA 90210
+1 213 984 1277 .   <mailto:fekbritton at gmail.org> fekbritton at gmail.org .
Skype ericbritton
 
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