Originally posted by Feynman:
IF YOU FIND THIS TOO LONG, READ PRO POINT 1) and 2).
Dear members of this well-established forum (am a newbie!
) I am a Singaporean in Germany, an avid fan and
passionate user of car sharing schemes (one of the earliest
established) here. In a year's time I will be enjoying the COE
system under the tropical sun again.
I would
hereby like to reopen the discussion of car sharing, as a mobility
concept, in Singapore. It adds to the spectrum of transport methods
available to the mortal Singaporean.
At present there are 3 car sharing schemes (if I am not outdated):
NTUC Co-op, Cityspeed, HondaDiracc. According to input from my
friends in Singapore, the chief pain of car sharing is the sparse
geographical availability of the fleets in the heartland. Waiting
in the hot sun for 5 min for feeder bus to the fleet, or cycling
(again under the hot sun) there is a complete turn-off. I want my
own aircon comfort when I step into the carpark downstairs. The
success of the scheme depends on the enthusiasm of the populace.
Where I study, there are cars around every block of houses,
ensuring instant accessibility. Hence I am here to fish for
supporters and learn from the opponents.
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The chief characteristics of carsharing, from my experience,
are:
PROS
[b]
1)
Limiting number of cars on the roads
10000 participants share 2000 vehicles. 1:5 ratio. Need more be
said? YES! Remember that the COE scheme was implemented so that
Singapore does not erm... drive like Bangkok. So does the car
sharing scheme share the same ideal. Less cars, less pollution,
more driving space. But in a Singaporean context, more
people have access to it affordably. Empower the masses.
2)
Accessibility to wide range of cars
Ideally, there can be many types of vehicles within a pool. SUVs,
stationwagons, Smart cars, sedans. Now you can go
Ikea shopping with your own van. Alternative would be to stick to
your Corolla for 5 years at $600+ a month.
3) Geographical accessibility
The Juronger can access the fleet in Bedok after meeting his
friends there. And (IDEALLY) return it in Jurong (ask
HondaDiracc)
4) Cheaper fixed and maintenance costs
Insurance premium, monthly instalment, servicing charges
shared.
5) Cost control
Because cars are charged hourly and per km, you can control how
much you want to spend in a month. If you are feeling broke this
month, just take MRT lor.
6) No need to service
Have to take leave just to check that brake light of yours? Not
with carsharing. Servicing is done through the employees of the
company.
7) Mobility AND privacy
Cabs sure can get you from A to B. But car sharing allows that in
the privacy of your own "cab". Family outings can be done in
privacy, no extra ears and mouths in the vehicle. My latest
experience with cab drivers had him telling me he ordered his new
3.3L Nissan in September, even BEFORE I closed the door upon
boarding. Beat that.
8 ) Profitable
Undeniably, this is another money-making concept for the gahmen. But it is a win-win one isn't
it?
CONS
1) Time limit
Because use of the vehicles should be booked for fixed periods,
there is pressure on the roads to drive back to the designated lot
on time. Watch out!
2) Unavailability of vehicle
Related to the above point. When the bugger returns the car too
late, you can't get the car you want. This can be circumvented by
allowing usage of a vehicle of similar(or higher) class, and
charging the late bugger the extra (+ fine!)
3) Cannot pimp your ride
Get what I mean? If not click here.
4) Cleanliness
Well...it's not your own car, so you can leave your Yeo's can and
BreadTalk crumbs on the rear seat? 
COMPLAIN via telephone hotline and see if the previous user dares
to do it again. This requires alot of civic mindedness. Everyone is
in the same boat. If not just hire some security guard to check on
the vehicle condition upon return.
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If you have followed my thoughts till now, CONGRATULATIONS! Maybe
someone can criticise my utopia of having fleets in EVERY single
HDB carpark, allowing access, or add to the plus points.
I hope a fruitful discussion blossoms out of my contribution.
---------------------------------------------------[/b]
Greetings
Hi Feynman,
Looks like you have got all the points already. Well for thoes who
can't 'afford' a car, they can always 'rent' rite ? 