City car-sharing program expands
By Gary Washburn, Chicago Tribune
May 3, 2005
A car-sharing program for city dwellers who occasionally need a vehicle for private transportation is being expanded from 27 cars to more than 100 by the end of next year, officials announced today.
The not-for-profit car-sharing program is expanding thanks to help from a new federal grant and financing by LaSalle Bank.
The I-Go program also will expand geographically, extending its reach in the city and going beyond the city limits into nearby suburbs, according to officials of the bank, Chicago Department of Transportation and Center for Neighborhood Technology.
"Car sharing can save money, reduce congestion and is very convenient for people who live in busy city neighborhoods," said Sharon Feigon, I-GO's chief executive officer.
The program's expansion will be made possible by a $419,024 federal grant and a separate $30,000 grant from LaSalle Bank, a subsidiary of ABN-AMRO, officials said.
Launched by the Center in 2002 and modeled on car-sharing initiatives in Europe and other U.S. cities, I-Go is designed for residents, primarily city dwellers, who only occasionally need private transportation. Vehicles are available for short trips in and around the city.
Members pay a one-time fee of $75 and then $6 an hour and 50 cents a mile whenever they check out a Honda Element or hybrid Honda Civic from any of more than a dozen locations around the city where the vehicles are kept. The operation maintains a round-the-clock call center for members reserving cars, and pays for vehicle fuel, insurance and maintenance.
Vehicles currently are available in city neighborhoods including Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Printers Row and Hyde Park.
The program is to be expanded across the Near North, Near South and Near West Sides as well as to the Pilsen and South Shore neighborhoods, Evanston and Oak Park. A car also will be kept at ABN-AMRO Plaza at 540 W. Madison St. in the Loop.
Officials expressed hope that by making more cars available, they could triple their membership to roughly 3,000 people.
More information can be obtained on Center for Neighborhood Technology's Web site.
gwashburn@tribune.com
Tribune wires contributed to this story.
