New City Centre Bases Launched For Car Share Service

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has officially launched new city centre bases for Ireland's only car sharing initiative, GoCar.

Launching the new sites, Paschal Donohoe, also announced new government legislation which allow for local authorities to designate exclusive parking spaces for car sharing clubs with Dublin City Council the first to enact this legislation.

The new dedicated on-street bases in Dublin are located at key city centre areas including Mountjoy Square, Parnell Square, Merrion Square, St. Stephens Green, Leinster Street South and Lower Mount Street. The new bases are a significant breakthrough for GoCar allowing it to offer its service where demand is at its highest.

GoCar works on a pay-per-trip basis which allows users the freedom to access a vehicle where and when they need it. Members currently benefit from free parking at any pay-and-display parking space, and this new legislation will provide even more parking options across the city centre. With no parking costs incurred for the use of GoCar vehicles, users can instead budget for the essential vehicle trip they wish to make without the stress and cost associated with NCT's, vehicle servicing, tax and insurance premiums.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Donohoe said: "The sharing economy in Ireland is going from strength to strength. We have seen the success of the bike share scheme and the likes of Air BnB in recent years. The launch of these new car parking bases, will further enhance car sharing and its appeal to users.

"We are seeing more and more cars on the road as the economy strengthens, which, from a traffic and an environmental perspective, is unsustainable. Seeking the most effective ways of encouraging people out of private cars and onto public and other forms of transport is key to reducing congestion in the years ahead. Initiatives, like GoCar, allow people to scale back on their car usage and to avail of innovative car-sharing facilities when needed.

"This helps motorists to reduce their costs while helping to preserve the environment. The designation of dedicated GoCar on-street car-parking spaces in the city, which are free to use, will be a real advantage for users and for the company as it continues to promote its services in the years to come."

(MH/CD)