I just remembered how cute it is because I am sad about how I had to cancel my membership today. They had to cut back on cars, so there is no longer a "pod" on Bryn Mawr's campus or on Haverford's campus, so it isn't really worth it for me anymore. But it is still a really cool thing to have, and if I somehow end up living in Philly after I graduate, I will totally become a member again.
I am going to really miss my PhillyCarShare membership, because I was able to do all sorts of adorable things because of it! I went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore (my favorite aquarium of all time, I need to make a post about it), an orchard in Westchester, and Longwood Gardens during their Christmas display (I need to go to that again this year and make a post about that as well)! Basically PhillyCarShare is adorable, and facilitates all sorts of adorable activities! I will miss it.
Love, Jillian
P.S. Writing this post made me remember Captain Planet. I love that show! Now I have like eight new posts to make.
Hi Jillian,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation and loyalty to PhillyCarShare. I'm sorry that PCS has left the campus. With the economic downturn, we were hit like many other companies with the triple whammy of rising costs (insurance rates up 50%), less business (cars rented less), and limited access to credit from banks. We're trying to keep our heads above the water and come back leaner and stronger. Extending service again out to the 'burbs and college campuses there is one of our goals.
In the meantime, I think I recently read about the "for profit" company Zipcar trying to swing a deal with Bryn Mawr College administration where ZipCar would be subsidized and guaranteed $2,250/car/month to place cars on campus. PCS never asked for or received such a subsidy. So, if the college admin goes for that deal you may have car share vehicles on campus soon.
We always found that amusing about zcar, they're "for profit" yet they always pursue a subsidy (they did with Philadephia also, other cities and colleges) while the little old non-profit PCS co-founders pooled their own money together to get off the ground.
Definitely consider moving to Philly after graduation. Its a great town and unlike ZipCar, PhillyCarShare has cars outside of center city, in the neighborhoods (from south to north philly, where rents are affordable for young people), the cars (at pods) are usually parked right on the street for easy access.
good luck,
Larry Shaeffer
PCS co-founder