Sharing Cars Fine for Northwest Philly

Though Manayunk and Roxborough lie about 5 miles from Center City, residents can still participate in Philadelphia's nonprofit car sharing program.

PhillyCarShare began in 2002 as a way to "maximize the economic, environmental, and social benefits of reduced automobile dependence in the Philadelphia region through community-based car sharing," according to its mission statement. With one pod located in the Philadelphia Parking Authority lot on Manayunk Avenue at Conarroe Street, PhillyCarShare is the only program of its kind available in Northwest Philadelphia.

"The biggest benefit is cost savings," PhillyCarShare spokesperson Heather Nawoj said. "Why pay full time for a car you only need some of the time?"

At present, PhillyCarShare has only one car, a Honda Fit, located at the Manayunk Avenue pod. However, Nawoj said PhillyCarShare is always looking for new "clear and accessible parking spaces," though she admits it is not particularly easy.

"For residents [in Manayunk], it's hard to find parking," Nawoj said. "So it's hard for us to find parking, too."

In Andorra, residents from the apartment complex have access to a Civic Hybrid, but those outside the facility can't utilize it. 

This concept is the driving force behind PhillyCarShare's strategy. The service offers two plans for individuals. The Philadelphia Plan is for people who intend to use a car at least once a month. There is a $15 per month or $125 per year cost, as well as usage charges that start between $3.45 to $5.45 per hour or $39 to $69 per day.

For less frequent users, PhillyCarShare offers the Keystone Plan. This has a one-time annual fee of $35 as well as rates that start between $7 and $9 per hour. Each trip using this plan includes 185 miles, with a 25 cents per mile charge for additional miles.

Individuals can sign up to participate on PhillyCarShare's online registration page. After joining, a check is run on each enrollee's driving record. Once cleared, PhillyCarShare sends its members a key fob in the mail. This is used to unlock cars that have been reserved for use, which is done either online or by calling 215-730-0988.

After unlocking the door with the key fob, car share participants will find the ignition key in the vehicle. It is then just a matter of returning the car to the same pod after it has been used.

Even though this type of program is designed to save consumers money, it was also created to reduce Philadelphia's carbon footprint.

"We see ourselves as more of an environmental group," Nawoj said.

To further this cause, PhillyCarShare was recently awarded the majority of a $140,000 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The grant will allow PhillyCarShare to add 16 electric vehicles to their fleet, which will be dispersed throughout pods in the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University neighborhoods as well as the rest of Center City.

"Adding electric vehicles to Philadelphia's successful car share programs will give thousands of Philadelphia drivers an affordable opportunity to experience new EV technology and help the city reach our ambitious sustainability goals," Mayor Michael Nutter said.

But Northwest Philadelphia residents aren't shut out. People can take the Manayunk/Norristown Regional Rail to Center City and get reimbursed for the trip through the Free Rail to PhillyCarShare promotion.