Ireland’s only car sharing initiative, GoCar, today announced significant membership growth figures as well as a surge in GoCar trips.
The car club, which currently operates in both Dublin and Cork, now has a total of 2,000 Irish members, 54 GoBases and is supported by a fleet of 62 GoCar vehicles. GoCar has now amassed 10,000 trips in 2013 greatly exceeding expectations and doubling their initial target of 5,000 trips.
Membership growth can be largely attributed to the license granted by Dublin City Council in July 2013 to operate on-street from their 30,000 pay-and-display parking spaces. This license enabled GoCar to place 50 vehicles from 31 pay-and-display locations in highly visible and convenient locations in the capital, such as Barrow St, Stoneybatter, Arran Quay, the Docklands, Drumcondra, Rathgar, IFSC, Clontarf and Donnybrook.
Colm Brady, managing director of GoCar Ireland commented: “We are delighted with the steady growth of GoCar membership in Dublin and reaching this milestone of 10,000 trips. Car clubs like GoCar have been hugely successful in a host of major European and US cities to date and the concept is rapidly catching on now in Ireland.
“The feedback from our members has been extremely positive as they now have convenient and affordable access to vehicles right across the city. We hope to inform more consumers of the benefits of GoCar in 2014 and continue our rapid growth.”
Speaking at the announcement, Vogue McFadden, GoCar ambassador said; “I’m not surprised GoCar has reached this milestone as it’s is a fantastic service and so convenient. For me and my husband Brian, GoCar is an absolute gift. As we work abroad quite a lot, we have no real need for a car here in Dublin so it’s ideal for us to simply book a GoCar online and head off together”.
GoCar works on a pay-per-trip basis which allows users the freedom to access a vehicle when and as they need it. Members using on-street GoCars aren’t charged for parking at any pay-and-display parking space, allowing users to budget for the essential vehicle trip they wish to make while removing the stress and cost associated with NCT’s, vehicle servicing and insurance premiums.
GoCar are planning a big year in 2014, hoping to exceed 20,000 trips and add more bases across Dublin, including St Stephens Green, UCD and Merrion Square.
