August 22, 2008 - Cork is the first city in Ireland to have an innovative CarSharing service which will be officially launched next month by the Minister for Transport. As the service went live this week, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Brian Bermingham and staff from the City Council participated in a demonstration of the GoCar “pay as you go” service. The cars involved are all Ford vehicles.

 

CarSharing is a concept that maximizes the use of vehicles, thereby reducing the number of cars on the roads and helping the environment. The service is tried and tested and has been operational in Switzerland and Germany for 20 years and for over ten years in other parts of Europe, the UK and North America. With its launch in Cork, the concept of CarSharing has now arrived in Ireland. GoCar is working in partnership with cambio CarSharing, which has 20 years operational experience and provides a service in ten German and 13 Belgian cities.

 

“It is fitting that Ford is involved in this pioneering project in Cork, the hometown of Henry Ford’s family – indeed, I am sure that he would have been a strong supporter of the sustainability concept of CarSharing”, said David O’Driscoll, Director of Sales for Ford Ireland. “I look forward to seeing the success of this project in Cork and its roll out in other cities around Ireland”.

 

Graham Lightfoot, Managing Director of GoCar, spoke of the great benefits of CarSharing. “CarSharing gives you a high quality alternative to ownership of a private car. You can book a car for as little as one hour from €5 and just pay as you go on hours and kilometres. There are no hidden costs, and no maintenance, repair or NCT costs. Insurance, fuel and motor taxes are also covered.” 

 

Graham continued: “With Ford’s strong association with Cork, we are delighted to operate Ford vehicles using a selection of their top of the range, low emission and high safety spec diesel powered vehicles. For the start-up, this will include six Ford Fiestas, a Ford Focus and a Ford Transit Connect van based at three locations across the city centre.”

 

GoCar is being run as part of the Cork City Integrated Sustainable Transport System. Free on-street parking spaces have been allocated at agreed sites for customers. Along with private customers, Cork businesses will also be beneficiaries of this new service. Cork City Council has already signed up for three cars for use by staff during work hours. 

 

The service will be officially launched on September 19 as part of European Mobility Week.