Temporary solution a driving force

By JOHN ROLFE

 

ANYONE who’s tried to get a park in the city during the working week knows how difficult and expensive it can be.

Paul Reichman knows the frustration. That is why he is expanding his Charter Drive business into the CBD.

Charter Drive is a share-car service - kind of halfway between driving yourself around in a taxi and leasing a car through your employer.

Mr. Reichman has tailored French Technology to create the membership-based service, which began its Australian life in Kings Cross. There are now 35 members in that area.

Charter Drive charges $10 an hour for its vehicles plus 20c per kilometer. The cars can also be taken for $25 a night at the same mileage rate. All parking, fuel, insurance and registration charges are included.

Users book online. The website shows them where the nearest car is located. The vehicle is unlocked by swiping their membership smartcard across the windscreen. The keys are in the glove box.

Charterdrive is pitched at the people who live in the city, but don’ drive much and at people who work in the city and need a car occasionally to get to other locations.

“If you are driving your own car less than 10,000 kms a year we can save you thousands of dollars,” Mr. Reichman said. “Or if you need to take a taxi to North Ryde, and back from the city, it’s half the cost with us.”

There are also environmental benefits.

“Research from the US and Europe shows that a shared car can replace seven private cars,” Mr. Reichman said.