Slice of auto action

By KIM SHAW

Bellevue Hill local Paul Reichman recognized the benefits of car-sharing years ago and watched with interest as the concept took hold in Europe.

Three weeks ago in Kings Cross he launched his own car-share company, Charter Drive, and now plans to expand the service into the CBD at Bondi.

The beauty of the scheme is that one shared car can take 10 cars off the streets, and presents no insurance, maintenance or parking costs to users, Mr. Reichman said.

Charter Drive has three five-door hatchback smart cars waiting in splash car wash on Victoria Street and in Kings Cross Car Park.

“We are getting great support from cafes and retailers,” he said.

“We’ve already had one of our members sell her car, car-sharing takes cars off the streets and make these areas a more pleasant place to live and work.”

City of Sydney Council has supported the car-sharing concept, allocating 10 car spaces around the city for such schemes.

The first Australian car-share scheme started in Newtown about three years ago and rapidly expanded to Glebe.

Mr. Reichman said car-sharing was not an alternative to public transport but a stop-gap between public and private car ownership.

“Once people join the service, they also tend to use public transport more,” he said.

Charter drive offers three cost structures for users and does not change a monthly fee or joining fee.

A $25 one-off cost covers a license check. The charter Drive Web site can be found at www.charterdrive.com.au