A Letter From the Executive Director, Mike Galligano

Dear Members, Friends, Colleagues, and Supporters of BCS, 

As many of you know, I have been proudly working for Buffalo CarShare (BCS) for the last eight years. BCS started as an idea discussed over beers, and became the life-changing social service that it is today, helping thousands of people in Buffalo, including myself. Because of CarShare, I felt fulfilled, challenged, and ambitious about the world of opportunity ahead of us. We were changing transportation in Buffalo, NYS, and the country.  

In the past six years, Buffalo CarShare’s 19 vehicles have taken over 35,000 trips for over 1 million miles. Most of those trips were taken by members that cannot afford a personal vehicle, and therefore relied solely on CarShare to get to vital destinations. Carsharing quickly turned into a necessity for our members that otherwise had no option to get to the places they needed to go, and immediately started enhancing their quality of life.

“Buffalo CarShare gives me the freedom to do things I wouldn’t be able to do.” -Johnnie, member since 2009

Creating freedom? I can tell you, when we started we had no idea that the result of our service would be creating freedom. As we gathered more and more of our members ‘sharemonials’, we noticed this was a common theme and as a result, this is why we now exist. But all of that may be coming to an end due to NYS law that does not encourage unique transportation services to operate. 

BCS hasn’t received one quote from an insurance carrier because our business is too unique and NYS law makes us too difficult to insure.

Why is this so important? Simple - because everyone deserves affordable and innovative transportation, not just the wealthy. Why is there no carsharing services in cities like Cleveland, Syracuse, and others like Buffalo? Easy - because for-profit companies do not see the financial benefit in serving these cities. Therefore, these services are not accessed by a majority of the population. Really think about this: access to Buffalo CarShare vehicles has spurred an estimate of $5 million dollars in collective savings for members, provided them access to job interviews and healthy foods, and facilitated a sense of freedom that did not exist before.

• 50% of our membership makes a household income of $25,000 or less. This shatters carsharing industry averages.
• At the same time as this insurance crisis, Southern California cities are looking into the Buffalo model as a way to provide access for low-income communities that need it.  

On one side of the country, BCS is being forced out of the state of New York, and on the other side, California is looking at the model as a way to help low-income communities get around. Funny, isn’t it? Well not really, not when that means people in Buffalo will be stranded with no way to get to their monthly doctor’s appointments or see their friends and family. 

We have identified some options to stay in business which include raising several million dollars to become self-insured, or become bought out or absorbed. There is one option that will allow us to get insured within the next month or so.  

There isn’t much time left and we have to call upon our supporters to help us get this bill passed. The passing of bills A8027 and S4444B will open the door for a competitive insurance market for carsharing in NYS and also increase alternative transportation options in the state. Since we have no stopgap plans as of yet, we will cease operating on June 15 until we can obtain a suitable insurance policy. Again, this will only happen if the bill passes at the end of session on June 17. 

This CarSharing bill will save Buffalo CarShare. We need to advocate for this bill to be passed. Click this link to our latest newsletter: http://bit.ly/1cJOClW, which will allow you to send an e-mail to legislators and sign our petition. 

Thank you for your support over the years. During this crisis we’ve asked members to send us their testimonials to use for conveying to the state and potential insurers how large our impact is on people’s lives. I have read each and every one of them, and I cannot even begin to tell you how much all of you have changed MY life. So here is my testimonial:

"Buffalo CarShare has allowed me to live a better life without the burden of owning a car.... I bought a house with all that savings. I'm shocked and disgusted that the state is allowing this to happen to a non-profit dedicated to helping thousands of people live better lives. I couldn't care less about my job, I just care that our members get served, which won't happen if NYS doesn't recognize this vital service now."

Mike Galligano

A heartfelt letter from a member and volunteer

Dear CarShare,

     Five years ago I was struggling on a small, fixed income from a work related back injury. I had two rods and artificial disc replacement surgeries. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After 18 months of chemo, I had a mastectomy. Throughout my membership with your organization, my husband and I, and our seven children have been able to make trips to the grocery store, hardware & department stores as well as many, many doctor appointments. At the time, we could not afford a car of our own. Neither could we afford to rent cars through the big rental companies (Enterprise, Hertz, etc.) or even afford taxi cabs. You gave us an inexpensive way to live our life without hurting us financially.

     Now that I've finished my cancer treatments & my husband was able to return to work, we have our own vehicle, but we will continue to remain members for emergency situations and also to volunteer our services whenever and wherever you need us. It is our way of saying thank you.

     Words cannot express the gratitude we have that your services were available during our greatest need. Thank you for caring and being so generous & understanding. When we couldn't afford the membership fees, you gave us the opportunity to clean the cars instead. I've never had the opportunity to be a part of another organization that comes close to the caliber your's thrives on. Buffalo will not be the same should Buffalo CarShare close it's doors.
    

 If there is anything I can do to help you in your endeavors, please ask.

         Thank you,
                   Sincerely,

                              Veronica & Rev. Chris

Member Testimonial: Anonymous

I have been a member of Buffalo CarShare since its inception. In fact, I’m member #20, a title that I hold with pride. I was a member of a carsharing organization in Chicago when I lived there, so when Buffalo CarShare opened its doors in 2009, I knew how it worked and that it was right for me. At age 38, I have yet to own my own car for environmental reasons, and Buffalo CarShare allows me to continue to be car-free.

Not only does Buffalo CarShare allow me to accomplish things like taking my cats to the vet, getting my taxes done, and hauling yard waste to the city drop-off site, it lets me visit beautiful nature preservation areas where I photograph the scenery to supplement my income. In short, Buffalo CarShare significantly enhances my quality of life.

As a society, we are moving more and more toward urban living, and with that, the need for carsharing will only rise. Whether it’s for economic or environmental reasons, carsharing makes sense to people from all walks of life for different reasons. Also, the environmental and social impacts of carsharing are colossal. When all of this is threatened in the state of New York because of insurance laws, then it’s time to change those laws because they should reflect our ever-changing society.

I take pride in being a native of the great state of New York, which has long enjoyed a reputation of being progressive and the incubator of societal change. Letting Buffalo CarShare become extinct will not only be a detriment to thousands of residents across the state, but it will be an irreversible stain on the state of New York. All of this will disenchant young professionals from moving into Buffalo, or elsewhere across the state, who wish to live a greener lifestyle by being car-free. For these reasons, I know I’m not alone when I say that I can’t imagine life without Buffalo CarShare.

Video Testimonial: Marianna Kreidler

Marianna is an employee of Locust Street Art, a non-profit whose mission is to provide free or low-cost art classes on a consistent basis for any individual, especially youth, low-income and minority individuals from ages 3 1/2 to senior adult, to seriously develop the talent and skills necessary to excel in the visual arts.

Marianna says they have expanded services only because of their access to Buffalo CarShare vehicles.

Locust Street Art is one of 40 non-profit organizations that use Buffalo CarShare to help further their own missions, reach more people, and work more efficiently. Buffalo CarShare has given non-profits in Buffalo FREE membership for the past six years. Our non-profit members rely on Buffalo CarShare. The impact that this organization has on Buffalo is absolutely enormous when you think about the communities and people affected by the great work of the following non-profit members:

GO Bike Buffalo
Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
Buffalo First
PUSH Buffalo
Massachusetts Avenue Project
Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo
Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center
YWCA of WNY
Coalition for Economic Justice
Heart of the City Neighborhoods
Buffalo Niagara RIVERKEEPER
Canisius College (ALANA Student Center)
Wellness Institute of Buffalo
First Hand Learning
Clean Air Coalition of Western New York
Lafayette Ave Presbyterian Church
Concerned Ecumenical Ministry
Compeer West Inc.
Citizen Action of New York
Canopy of Neighbors
Elmwood Village Association
Fruitbelt Coalition
Peace Center
Buffalo Citybration
CEPA Gallery
None Like You Family Education Community Outreach
Partnership for the Public Good
Allentown Association
Western New York Sustainable Energy Association
Community Music School
Explore Buffalo
University Heights Tool Library
West Side Neighborhood Housing Services Inc
Learning Disabilities Association of WNY
Hostel Buffalo-Niagara
Locust Street Art
Jericho Road Community Health Center
Trinity Episcopal Church

Member Testimonial: Patty Walsh

I was stunned to hear that Buffalo CarShare may be forced out of service due to the problems with providing insurance coverage!

I have been a member for over five years now, and Buffalo CarShare has provided a way for me to have access to a motor vehicle when I need one.

Buffalo, New York, unfortunately, does not have a safe or dependable metro transportation system. I rely on my bicycle for transportation Spring through Fall in this area. However, that is only possible with access to a vehicle when absolutely necessary with Buffalo CarShare.

Like many cities in Europe and across the United States the CarShare approach to vehicle usage is the future.

If Buffalo wants to emerge as a city with a future and a plan forward it needs to have the CarShare program as well as improve its metro transit system.

London, England is a good example of looking towards the future and providing accessible transportation while reducing the carbon footprint of its population. CarShare services provide the support for citizens to have access to vehicles when needed.

CarShare has helped me get through a transitional period in my life involving a long period of caregiving. This service needs to continue for those who need to have access to a vehicle and either cannot afford to own a vehicle or choose not to own a vehicle with their carbon footprint in mind.

Sincerely,

Patty Walsh

Member Testimonial: Holly Hutchinson

Testimonial from Buffalo CarShare member Holly Hutchinson:

I have been a Buffalo CarShare member for 3 years. I have used the cars to get to appointments, lunch dates, and meetings; the van to shuttle groups of co-workers to work sites; and the truck to move things like chairs and tents for events.  

In my current position as the Workforce Development Coordinator for the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, I often use one of the electric cars to get to meetings in the community. This makes me happy for many reasons: I don’t have to bring my car to work and can walk to the office. I get my daily exercise. I don’t have to pay for parking. I reduce my carbon footprint and I reduce the number of cars taking up space on the Medical Campus.

I have always been a great admirer of Buffalo CarShare. They are not a car rental company, nor even your average carsharing service. They are a true community organization, serving the needs of people in our city. One example is their commitment to serving seniors by researching, designing and implementing a program to use volunteers to drive seniors to a lunch program run by the Salvation Army.

How can we measure the benefits to our community of giving isolated seniors a way to interact with others and have some nourishing food? Lives are made better because of Buffalo CarShare and their hard-working staff.

Buffalo CarShare is a very important player in Buffalo’s renaissance. The growing culture here of environmental awareness, urban transit, and business innovation contributes to a vibrant city which keeps its young people and draws in more from other locales. Young entrepreneurs coming to Buffalo are often from larger cities with these types of amenities and this vibe. As someone who returned to her hometown of Buffalo after leaving for 35 years, I can say that Buffalo CarShare is one of the reasons I am here and want to stay.

Thank you Buffalo CarShare!

Member Testimonial: Tim White

In 2007, I gave up car ownership for the adventures and cost savings of biking, walking, and using public transit across Western New York. In 2012, I was promoted to the role of Marketing Coordinator at Theatre of Youth (TOY), Buffalo's only professional theatre dedicated solely to child audiences. While TOY is an exceptional company to work for with great co-workers and good benefits, the wage I earn is typical of most non-profit administrators. On my salary, I can't reasonably afford reliable car ownership. Yet, for my job I often need to travel to the outer suburbs for meetings, promoting at events, distributing lawn signs, putting up posters, etc. As you can imagine, Buffalo CarShare quickly became the perfect solution for my needs.

Buffalo CarShare provides me with the expanded reach that I need as a professional. Just this past Wednesday, I reserved a CarShare and visited Sweet Home middle school in Amherst to speak with teachers about bringing their students to the theatre. Without Buffalo CarShare, I wouldn't have been able to reach the school and I wouldn't have been able to transport all of the flyers, brochures, and equipment that I needed for the job.

Buffalo CarShare is not only essential for my work; but it has also allowed me to live a rich and vibrant lifestyle on a modest income. I know for a fact that the majority of the dollars I would have sunk into car ownership are being poured right back into our local economy. I love that I live in a city where I have enough disposable income left over to pay for the amazing music, art, theatre, and food that Buffalo's talented citizens create.

With some of the savings that CarShare affords me, I recently took up my lifelong dream of learning to play the cello. When I need to transport my cello, Buffalo CarShare is there for me. If my cello needs repair or maintenance, I simply reserve a CarShare and whisk the unwieldy instrument to Monaco's, a specialty strings shop in Getzville. In this example alone, every dollar I'm not spending on car ownership is staying in our local economy; whether it's for the lessons that a local professional cellist gives me or for the family-owned shop that rents out and maintains my cello.

In closing, losing Buffalo CarShare would be detrimental to my adventurous low-cost lifestyle. I have loved living in Buffalo over the last several years, but losing Buffalo CarShare could be a deal-breaker for me. If the city of Buffalo and the state of New York can't find a way to continue to support my simple and environmentally responsible lifestyle, if the state of New York refuses to pass insurance legislation that encourages the kind of brilliant grassroots innovation that Buffalo CarShare represents; then I will simply take my entire future, potential family, friends, taxable earnings, and home ownership to another growing city in another state.

I hope it doesn't come to that.

Thank you to the entire staff of CarShare for continuing to fight for an incredible service that truly makes a huge impact on the lives of its members and on our community as a whole. You have my support.

Tim White - Member since June 2012

Member Testimonial: Lee Ann Rose

I have been an active member of Buffalo CarShare for five years.  Buffalo CarShare has allowed me the freedom to travel to parts of our area inaccessible by foot or bus. I am an individual who has a Social Security Disability income of less than $11,000 per year. The expense of owning a personal vehicle is out of reach, as are multiple cab fares. There are times when riding several buses, walking long distances in between while dragging my wheeled cart, are beyond my physical endurance. I can rent a Buffalo Carshare vehicle for five hours for the very reasonable sum of $56.00. This allows me to consolidate most of my monthly errands into one trip without bankrupting my bank account or painful wear and tear to my joints.

Every month brings a new assault on those who struggle at the bottom of the economic ladder. Every month is a new assault on our fragile climate. Buffalo Carshare has been a beacon of hope to members like me who try to live a sustainable life on inadequate means. Please don't allow the demise of Buffalo Carshare to be another nail in our nearly sealed coffins.

Sincerely yours,

Lee Anne Rose, member since April of 2010

Member Testimonial: Cherie Hall

Cherie has been a CarShare member for over two years. Her 15-year-old daughter is an avid environmentalist, and persuaded Cherie to get rid of their car. They have been using public transit ever since but found difficulties sometimes getting to doctor's appointments and to and from school on occasion. They rely on CarShare for the oddball trips that most of our members use it for, special occasions where having an access to a vehicle is the best and only way to get there.

"Without CarShare, we will have to pay a tremendous amount more, more than I can really afford -  it will impact what kind of food we will have in the house, and whether or not I can put money toward her college savings."

"This is my way of making sure the environment is as good as it can be, and that my daughter can hold true to her ideals, it's incredibly important to me." - Cherie Hall

Member Testimonial: Nancy Hutchings

"My name is Nancy and I am a grateful, frequent Buffalo CarShare user.

I use Buffalo CarShare weekly to do volunteer work with the elderly and individuals with disabilities for Canopy of Neighbors, a nonprofit agency that assists the elderly and disabled to age in place.

I drive our Canopy members to lunches and to other social events so that their lives can be enriched socially and emotionally. Also, through CarShare I'm able to drive our members to and from all kinds of appointments, especially doctor's appointments. This has a positive effect on their quality of life. I like to think I have a role in assisting our members to remain as healthy and vital as possible.

CarShare helps me to be an active member of my community. I no longer work for pay and no longer own a car of my own, so by having CarShare in the community, it allows me to do the important volunteer work I do. Using CarShare to volunteer in helping the elderly and disabled impacts my life in a very positive way. Getting out, meeting new people, and having a way to serve my community is very valuable to me.

Everyone I drive to appointments is always so grateful for the transportation I provide, to and from important doctor visits, buying groceries, social events, etc... Everyone always says a heartfelt "thank you" and I know they mean it.

Without CarShare, I would not be able to serve the seniors and individuals with disabilities in my community, who I have become so fond of in a very vital way. I would sincerely miss their friendship. I like to think that they would miss mine as well, for they have come to know and trust me too."

Member Testimonial: Melissa Campbell, Creator of Ultra Hoops

Melissa Campbell is the creator of Ultra Hoops, a fun fitness brand centered around the hula hoop. She hand make hoops, offers classes, workshops and special events. Check out her website and read on for how CarShare helps her follow her passions.

Www.ultrahoops.com

"Buffalo CarShare has enabled me to run my local business and is a major contributor to my success.

I frequently need a larger car or van to load gear like hoops and a portable display booth I use for events. I don't always need a large vehicle so being a CarShare member means I only use it when I need it.

I started my business with literally nothing, and I have slowly built it up to all that I have now. I heavily depend on being able to use CarShare! My business could fail if I am forced to use a different transportation option. The cost is low enough for me to afford to use the service when I need it. I use the car when I have meetings, and again, use the larger vehicles when I have events. Recently, I even used CarShare to go to a conference in Syracuse.

Renting a truck from a hardware store or a car rental place is so much more expensive and since I don't have car insurance, it becomes totally impossible for me to rent. Needing to use a van 3-10 times per month does not warrant me needing a van every day. I wouldn't be able to afford having a large AND a small vehicle. Buffalo CarShare has led me to be more flexible, more independent and has enabled me to follow my purpose in life.

When I had a car, my mind was consumed with worries and my wallet with more expenses. Its not only the insurance, maintenance and gas, but its also the parking problem. I used to have to include parking tickets in my budget because I live in the city - where there are so many parking rules on different streets and at different times.

CarShare is so beneficial to the community, the environment and to me personally. I have been able to stay in business because I have access to vehicles of varying size when I need them. Forcing CarShare to shut down will have a huge negative impact on me and my small business, as well as our community as a whole.

Please help save Buffalo CarShare and you'll be helping save other small businesses like Ultra Hoops!"

Member Testimonial: Catherine Wallace

"I came to live in the city in 2012 and joined Buffalo CarShare as a member in October of that year. As with so many other people, CarShare has allowed for so much to happen in my life.

CarShare has made a world of difference, allowing me to be a normal and productive member of society when, I have felt, my economic standing and abilities would have prevented me to be otherwise. In other words, this service is life altering to me and it is because of Buffalo CarShare that the quality of my life has been majorly improved.

In the past two and half years, Buffalo CarShare has been along the journey of getting me out of homelessness, to settling into a studio apartment. CarShare also made it possible for me to move out of that studio apartment and into an even better one, more suitable for me.

It has allowed me to get to doctor's appointments with providers that are not on metro bus lines - which has allowed me to get my health back under control. It has made shopping much easier. It has allowed for me to be at funerals, to be there for others in their time of need when they were there for me in mine.

Buffalo CarShare has allowed me to be with family, when normally I would not have been able to. It has allowed me to be with friends at special dinners, graduations and award ceremonies and to celebrate their milestones. More importantly, it has helped improve the lives of some of my friends.

Here's how it has not only helped me: I have two friends who can't drive, their doctors forbid them to because of their health. One suffers from severe seizures, frequent strokes and physical limitations. Another friend has severe mental illness that impedes her ability to drive. However, because of my membership with Buffalo CarShare, both of these folks have had their lives impacted as well. Whenever I have a car, it not only helps me take care of the things I need to do, it allows me to help these ladies help themselves to lead better lives. They would otherwise be home-bound. Getting groceries, medications and other daily needs would be much harder. Not to mention, it just helps them get out and enjoy the world. They don't have anyone else to help them, so the time that I spend with them using CarShare makes a difference.

Basically, it comes down to this, it is very hard for me to imagine what life would be like without having the option or ability to use Buffalo CarShare."

A letter from Jen: Buffalo CarShare's Communications Director

Before I started working for Buffalo CarShare in September 2013, I had no idea that it was possible to live without a personal vehicle. I also didn't realize how many of my financial struggles were due to the burdens of owning, maintaining, and constantly repairing my 2004 Pontiac Sunfire.

"Pamela" has seen better days, she helped get me through high school, college, and grad school

After searching for an appropriate position for nearly two years after finishing grad school, I fell on hard financial times and moved back in with my mother in Cheektowaga. At that time my car was beat up, it wasn't going to last much longer, and I could not afford to buy a new one. It was then I decided to take my car off the road. Ever since making that life altering decision, I have been able to move back into my own apartment and live completely independently. Buffalo CarShare means freedom from the burdens of car ownership. Buffalo CarShare means I can finally live the way I want to, with minimal transportation expenses, in a world that has always told me that owning a car means success. Now, I am ecstatic to be part of a community that focuses on creative solutions to transportation, helping people that don't have the option of buying their own car.

Officially taking my car off the road and turning in my license plates at the DMV: one of the best feelings I have ever experienced

I bike, walk, and take the bus almost everywhere I go. Most of my Buffalo CarShare trips are to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments, and to visit friends and family in the suburbs. I can tell you that this is what most of our members use the service for. If it doesn't seem to you that a service that helps people get food, medical attention, and see the people they love isn't life altering, I assure you, you are completely wrong. I have saved thousands of dollars in less than one year, and I have been the happiest I have ever been--all because I have access to cars when I need it, and only when I need it.

My new "car" - If weather permits, this is my main form of transportation. Over the winter I relied mostly on the bus, CarShare, my own two feet, and my wonderful boyfriend and his Subaru.

If Buffalo CarShare closes, I may be forced to buy a car, which is a sentiment that can be shared with most, if not all of our members. Our entire team at Buffalo CarShare lives the same way, we don't have our own cars and we love it. We are so happy to help our members live the same full and satisfying lives we do.

Mike, Xav, and I posing with our new truck that we received through an anonymous donation. We were thrilled last year when we could finally provide a truck again to all of our individual and non-profit members who need it!

This organization means so much more to us than a job. We have all been on an emotional roller coaster since this insurance crisis came to a head. We pour our hearts and souls into this organization daily. Our members know us by name and we know them too. The stories they tell us about why they came to use Buffalo CarShare inspire us to grow and expand not only in Buffalo, but in other cities where our service could help.

Buffalo CarShare has helped people get out of homelessness, find employment, be independent for the first time in their lives, get through college or grad school, start and grow a business, take care of sick and aging family members, and the list goes on and on.

We exist to serve the 30% of Buffalo’s population that live without a car. We exist for the people in Buffalo living at or near poverty, working to better their lives. We exist for entrepreneurs, students, environmentalists, people from around the country and around the world that are living in Buffalo temporarily. We exist to help Buffalo’s non-profit organizations further their missions. We exist for anyone who needs us. We are angry and heartbroken at what currently threatens our organization. Closing Buffalo CarShare would be a huge step backward for this wonderful city. Closing Buffalo CarShare would leave thousands of people stranded.

We will not give up, we will fight and work hard to find a solution. Please refer to our previous blog posts, Buffalo CarShare possibly ceasing operations. Urgent action needed!, Outdated NY State Insurance Law Puts Buffalo CarShare at Risk of Closure, for an explanation detailing our insurance crisis and ways you can help. This blog post will be the first of many stories about our members and how our organization changes lives in Buffalo. I'll be posting stories daily, and I urge anyone who has ever used Buffalo CarShare to share your story with me at jen@buffalocarshare.org. Send me as many stories as you want. Be open and honest. Let's prove that Buffalo CarShare is an invaluable asset to this city and our people and deserves a solution. As of right now CarShare exists only until June 15th. We have 28 days left. Rally with us.

Buffalo CarShare possibly ceasing operations. Urgent action needed!

Buffalo CarShare possibly ceasing operations. Urgent action needed!   Dear Current and Past Members of Buffalo CarShare,   It is with tremendous disappointment that we inform you that Philadelphia Insurance, Buffalo CarShare’s (BCS) vehicle insurer, is ending our fleet coverage as of June 15, 2015. If no solution is found, BCS will be forced to cease car sharing operations on that date.   BCS has exhausted every possible option regarding finding a new insurance carrier. The fact is, currently there is no appropriate insurance product in New York State to support independent car sharing, and insurance carriers are not currently willing to invest in this market. BCS may no longer be able to operate as it has been, but plans to aggressively pursue a variety of different solutions in order to continue to offer this service to our community. We are hopeful that we will be able to keep CarShare insured and running through one of the following options:   We are meeting with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority We seek to meet with the NFTA in order to discuss the ways in which a combined effort could solve some of Buffalo’s transportation issues and this insurance crisis.   We are meeting with the Superintendent of Financial Services and Supervisor of all New York State insurance companies, Mr. Benjamin M Lawsky We seek to work with Mr. Lawsky to create a new insurance product for independent car sharing in New York State.   We need your urgent help in resolving this adverse situation! Over the past 6 years, 1000’s of people and their families have been positively affected by Buffalo CarShare and we want to continue to provide this service for everyone who needs us. We call on you to support us and help keep this service available! Here is what you can do:   Provide a testimonial for why you think Buffalo CarShare needs to exist in Buffalo and how it will affect you if this service is not available. Send any written, audio, or video testimonials to info@buffalocarshare.org.   If you have a compelling story about how Buffalo CarShare has helped you and would like to be the subject of a media story please contact Jennifer White, BCS Communications Director at jen@buffalocarshare.org or 716-898-0850 ext 109.   Write an editorial for The Buffalo News and send it to lettertoeditor@buffnews.com, or another local newspaper of your choice highlighting your experience with Buffalo CarShare.   If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our office.   Most sincerely, The Buffalo CarShare Team Mike, Jen, Xav, Larry, Anders, and Rachel

Outdated NY State Insurance Law Puts Buffalo CarShare at Risk of Closure

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                                         

                                                                                     May 13 , 2015

   MEDIA CONTACT

  Jennifer White

         716-898-0850 ext 109

                                                              Jen@BuffaloCarShare.org

Outdated NY State Insurance Law Puts Buffalo CarShare at Risk of Closure

BCS needs community support to find a solution

BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo CarShare’s (BCS) vehicle insurer, Philadelphia Insurance, is ending fleet coverage as of June 15, 2015.  If no insurance solution is found, BCS will be forced to cease car sharing operations on that date. This beneficial community service which helps provide an increased quality of life for over 900 members will no longer exist.

If Buffalo CarShare is forced to close, the following actions are at risk:

• Thousands of current and potential Buffalo CarShare users and their families will no longer have access to convenient and affordable transportation
• 50% of members come from households earning $25,000 or less - Buffalo CarShare leads the entire US car sharing industry in providing service to low income members
• Members rely on the service for trips to the grocery store, doctors visits, and job interviews

• An estimated 7,000 reservations per year will not be taken with BCS vehicles, displacing drivers into a strong but strained public transit system or into new vehicles added on the road
• Partner institutions like Buffalo State College, Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and 40 other community non-profits will lose a key environmental strategy into reducing parking, traffic, congestion, and carbon emissions
• Buffalo CarShare is responsible for reducing 816 tons of carbon into the environment, which would be negated when members are forced to buy their own vehicles

“For me, it has made a world of difference, allowing me to be a normal and productive member of society when my economic standing and abilities would have prevented me to be otherwise,” said Cathy Wallace, Buffalo CarShare member, “In other words, this organization has been life altering to me, it is because of Buffalo CarShare that my life has been majorly and positively improved. In the past two and half years, Buffalo CarShare has been along the journey of getting me out of homelessness, to settling into a studio apartment. It has given me the ability to get to doctors appointments with medical providers outside the metro line which has allowed me to get my health back under control. It is very hard for me to imagine what my life would be like if Buffalo CarShare wasn’t an option.”

For the last six years, Philadelphia Insurance was the first and only insurance carrier in NY State who could be convinced to provide insurance without a specific insurance product to cover car sharing. There still is no insurance product that exists in NY State for car sharing systems, and neither the State nor insurance carriers have taken the initiative to create one. A special insurance product is needed due to NY State’s No-fault laws, which inhibit the creation of innovative solutions like car sharing making this type of transportation too costly and risky for insurance companies to cover. Buffalo CarShare has exhausted every opportunity in their power to obtain insurance through another carrier, to no avail.

“This problem doesn’t exist for independent car sharing organizations in the 38 states without no-fault, in fact, the City of Los Angeles is seeking to implement a car sharing system based on the Buffalo model. The city won’t have any issues finding an insurance carrier because California is one of many states where the laws reflect a need for transportation innovation,” said Mike Galligano, Executive Director, Buffalo CarShare.

There are two final options to keep vehicles running for members:

• Buffalo CarShare can be brought under the umbrella of a larger organization that is self insured, such as a public entity or transportation company
• BCS can work with the state Department of Financial Services to create an insurance product for car sharing

Members of the community are encouraged to contact Buffalo CarShare at 716-898-0850 or info@buffalocarshare.org to offer support at this critical time. BCS can best work through these options with broad public support.

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About Buffalo CarShare

Buffalo CarShare is a non-profit, community-driven organization that advances affordable and environmentally friendly transportation. Over six years, the program’s shared vehicles have driven 1 million miles with a convenient 19-vehicle fleet that includes gas, hybrid, and full-electric vehicles (including minivans and a pickup truck) available by the hour or day. Buffalo CarShare is supported by a range of local and statewide partners, and works with institutions such as the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Buffalo State, and other community-oriented organizations in order to adapt to changing transportation needs.

Stephanie Capolupo, Buffalo RideShare Volunteer

Stephanie Capolupo, Buffalo RideShare Volunteer

Stephanie is a volunteer for our newest service, Buffalo RideShare, a program created in partnership with Erie County Senior Services and the Salvation Army. Volunteer drivers within the program use Buffalo CarShare vehicles to pick up members of the Salvation Army's Golden Age Center and transport them to the facility 2-3 times per week to have a healthy, balanced, lunch. 

Stephanie chooses not to own a personal vehicle, and thus became interested in a Buffalo CarShare membership. When she heard that volunteers receive free membership, she thought it would be an excellent opportunity to try out the program while at the same time offering a valuable service to the community.

We were able to chat with Stephanie before her volunteer shift started, getting to know her a little better.

“I love volunteering!" she says, "The very first person I ever picked up was Buela, age 97 and sharp as a tack.” Buela usually catches a ride with this program on a weekly basis.

“I love how they are all so appreciative of the ride, they all know each other and are friends with each other. They are adorable, and I don't mind doing it at all", said Stephanie, "They explained to me how to play bingo, its the best couple hours ever, just hanging out with them in the car."

When Stephanie isn't driving her new acquaintances to or from lunch, she uses the down time to run errands for her business, Poor Girl Picker. She looks for unique vintage clothes, accessories and housewares, including original handmade items at auctions, second-hand stores, and sells them on her Etsy page or at the Peddler Flea Market at very affordable prices.

Growing up on a tight budget, Stephanie’s mother typically went shopping with Stephanie at second hand stores and thrift stores, so she's become so used to purchasing goods this way, that she very rarely buys anything firsthand.

A few years ago she decided to start selling some of her belongings for extra income. “One day, I set up a booth at the Peddler Flea Market where I sold my vintage clothes, housewares, and accessories. I liked doing this so much, I decided to keep buying to sell." She even started working with someone who does a monthly auction, and she frequently attends estates sales, and house clean-outs.

And thus, Poor Girl Picker was born. “I decided that if I was willing to give a job 100% of my time, then why shouldn't I give myself 100% of my time?" Stephanie said, referring to the time she chose to make Poor Girl Picker her full time job.

"I don't ever plan on being rich, I just want to live. Having a ton of money isn't important to me. I sold my car after coming to the decision that I could rent cars and U-Hauls when I needed to - now I've found out that I can use vehicles through Buffalo CarShare," said Stephanie.

Buffalo CarShare allows RideShare volunteers to have access to the vehicle for their own personal use during down time, so that’s when Stephanie does some of her business errands. She doesn't own her own vehicle because for her, the benefits and convenience of owning aren't worth the cost and the hassles.

“I may want to get a pick-up truck next year, an early 90's toyota pick up, but I’m not too worried about it now. In the mean time I can use the CarShare pick-up truck!” said Stephanie.

If you are interested in Stephanie's merchandise, here are the links to her Facebook page, and Etsy page.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Buffalo RideShare or have any questions on the program, feel free to contact the Buffalo CarShare office at 716-898-0850 or at info@buffalocarshare.org.