Carshare Alexandria!

• What's New? 
• What is Carsharing? 
• Carshare Alexandria! 
• What are the Benefits of Carsharing? 
• Shortcut to Reimbursement Request 

What's New?

Request for Information (RFI) - Carshare Program (Deadline: July 8)

In accordance with the recently approved On-Street Carshare Policy in January 2013, the City of Alexandria is requesting information regarding the availability and willingness of Carsharing companies to provide carshare vehicles to be placed at different locations in Alexandria. For this RFI, the City of Alexandria is interested in soliciting carshare companies to submit an expression of interest to lease up to five (5) on-street spaces for a cost of $2,300 per space per year. For more information click HERE or contact Faye Dastgheib at 703.746.4139 or at Faye.Dastgheib@alexandriava.gov  

On-Street Carshare Policy

The City of Alexandria expanded its network of carsharing options as a result of adoption of a pilot On-street Carshare Policy by Council on January 22nd. This policy allows for the City to lease a certain number of on-street parking spaces to interested carsharing companies on the basis of qualification. The first two on-street carsharing vehicles were placed on Ballenger Avenue in the Carlyle neighborhood on Tuesday March 12,2013. 

What is Carsharing?

In most cases, people do not want a car, but the service one provides. Carsharing allows people to use a car when needed, without the costs and inconveniences of car ownership. Simply defined, carsharing is sharing the use of a private vehicle with one's community. Carsharing is similar to car rental with the main differences being that an individual can use the carsharing vehicle for as little as one hour and the cars are located in the communities rather than at a central car rental location.

Carsharing began in Switzerland in the 1980's and expanded throughout Europe to include 450 cities. The concept has taken hold in the United States in areas such as Seattle, Chicago, Portland, Boston, D.C., and others. Generally, for-profit or non-profit organizations maintain the carsharing fleet and reservations website.

 Zipcar is currently the carshare agency providing service in the City of Alexandria and throughout the region

• Zipcar vehicle locations in Alexandria 

Carshare Alexandria!

Through the Carshare Alexandria! program, the City of Alexandria provides a monetary incentive to residents and businesses to encourage use of carsharing services in the City like Zipcar. The City will reimburse residents and businesses** for first-time application ($25 )and annual membership fees ($65) within 30 Days of signing up for a carshare membership. 

To get started wtih Carshare Alexandria and to be reimbursed follow these easy steps  ...

1. Join a carshare organization and within 30 days ...
2. Complete our simple reimbursement request (click HERE )
3. Email, fax or mail your membership receipts/payment confirmation  to:

"I've enjoyed the proximity of cars to my home and avoiding the hassles of car ownership."  - Melissa C., resident

To help us measure the success of carsharing and plan for future needs, those seeking reimbursement through Carshare Alexandria! are required to complete a follow-up survey approximately nine months from the time of reimbursement.

** please contact 703-746-4083 or email gabriel.ortiz@alexandriava.gov  for more information 

Benefits of Carsharing

• Increases use of more efficient and environmentally friendly mode of travel - bicycling, walking, public transportation, carpooling/vanpooling
• Reduces personal vehicle usage up to fifty percent.
• Encourages trip chaining.
• Enables households to give up owning second and third vehicles.
• Each carsharing vehicle replaces four to eight privately owned cars.
• Decreases vehicle ownership.
• Reduces parking demand.
• Lessens traffic congestion.
• Improves air quality.
• Less costly than owning and operating a personal vehicle.

For more information on carsharing, see Transportation Research Board's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 108: Car-Sharing--Where and How It Succeeds (Warning: This file is large--10.4 MB--)