Car Sharing Money Awarded to Ithaca

Ithaca Carshare has been awarded $177,220 by New York state to start a car sharing operation in Ithaca next year.

Car sharing is a transportation innovation that provides access to cars on a temporary basis, without the costs or cares of ownership.

The grant money from the state reflects a growing interest in car sharing as a transportation alternative that will ease traffic congestion, benefit the environment, and lessen transportation costs for individuals.

There are about two dozen car sharing operations in North America. Ithaca will be among the smallest cities to develop car sharing.

Ithaca Carshare applied for the grant money last year and considered the grant crucial to inception.

Ithaca Carshare has developed with the help of private and public organizations in Ithaca, including the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County, Cornell University, Ithaca College, and EcoVillage of Ithaca.

For more information on car sharing, see previous postings on Ithaca Blog, and Ithaca Carshare's website, www.ithacacarshare.org.

Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog