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Saturday, May 16, 2015
Buffalo CarShare possibly ceasing operations. Urgent action needed!
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Outdated NY State Insurance Law Puts Buffalo CarShare at Risk of Closure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Outdated NY State Insurance Law Puts Buffalo CarShare at Risk of Closure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.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
How Businesses Can Help Buffalo CarShare Drive Change in the City
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer White
716-898-0850 ext 109
Expansion efforts underway in the Lower West Side, North Buffalo,
Downtown and Allentown
BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo CarShare (BCS), an innovative, non-profit carsharing organization providing affordable and environmentally friendly transportation, plans to expand to the Lower West Side, North Buffalo, and Downtown. BCS is looking for community partners to help close the transportation gap for these sections of Buffalo.
"Having Buffalo CarShare as a strategic partner has made it easier for employees to be able to choose greener commuting options over driving alone to work, which has allowed us to meet our goal of reducing employee parking demand, traffic congestion, and associated environmental impacts," according to Jamie Hamann-Burney, project manager for the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Inc. "The partnership has also helped strengthen our surrounding neighborhoods by providing better access to a service that can truly improve quality of life."
Over the past six months, in addition to receiving a pickup truck through a private donor, the Buffalo-grown organization has acquired a wheelchair accessible Dodge Caravan minivan through a grant awarded by the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and First Niagara. The grant funded the purchase of the Caravan from City CarShare in San Francisco, a benchmark organization in alternative transportation. Additionally, with help from the Erie County Department of Senior Services, BCS has since launched the program, Buffalo RideShare, to increase mobility options for people who are unable to drive themselves.
Buffalo CarShare has ambitious goals over the next year to expand to underserved neighborhoods that require increased transportation options.
Expansion requires multiple community partners to help the non-profit establish a new hub. Acquiring a parking space is difficult due to misconceptions of insurance liability, as well as the mistaken belief that removing a parking space will hinder traffic and ease of flow to the business of the lot owner. Carsharing services can actually help decrease the demand for parking in the long run, and draw increased foot traffic to the hub. Carsharing is a supplement to the most equitable and affordable transportation system, further cultivating walkable communities which attract jobs, young adults, families, and commerce.
BCS will soon be launching it’s first hub on the Lower West Side, hoping that this is just the beginning of providing increased transportation access to LWS residents. “For West Side Community Services (WSCS), a partnership with CarShare represents an invaluable resource for improving education, health & wellness, and financial capability in so many ways for our members and for residents in our community,” said Sandra Sheppard, Executive Director, West Side Community Services. “Locating a vehicle in our West Side parking lot creates a method of transporting small groups of school-aged children for monthly free admissions to local art museums; the same vehicle will allow friends and family members of senior citizens to volunteer their time driving to medical appointments; and the same vehicle will allow local residents who cannot afford a car, access to reliable transportation for job interviews and training.”
At the end of February, BCS lost a spot at it’s most popular hub location at Allen and Elmwood, the site for the new restaurant, Allentown Burger Venture, whose owners declined to renew a parking lease with the neighboring organization. Previously owned by the Quaker Bonnet Eatery, the lot behind 175 Allen has been a popular hub due to its extremely accessible location, in the heart of Allentown. An invaluable community partner for five years, the Quaker Bonnet Eatery proudly supported Buffalo CarShare with the donation of two parking spaces, as well as by avidly promoting the service BCS provides. BCS is currently looking for another similar partner in Allentown.
BCS is ingrained in the urban fabric of Allentown having been a community staple for five years now. BCS currently works with the Allentown Association, Allentown Extension Project, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the Salvation Army, Cafe 59, and other Allentown organizations to provide increased transportation options for people who need it, as well as to alleviate parking issues--CarShare being a key approach in providing multi-modal options.
“Many of our residents do not have their own vehicles let alone parking spaces, and many use Buffalo CarShare as a second household vehicle. I personally utilize their cars and truck on a regular basis as well as for Association business. The availability of CarShare vehicles in Allentown is imperative,” said Andrew Eisenhardt, Executive Director, Allentown Association.
In addition to Allentown, Buffalo CarShare is now searching for partners to continue expansion in the Lower West Side near D’Youville College, as well as on Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo, and Downtown near Lafayette Square. BCS also has a longer term plan to expand east, near Kensington-Bailey. To become an innovator in transportation by helping to bring CarShare to any of these neighborhoods, please contact Communications Director, Jennifer White, at Jen@BuffaloCarShare.org or by calling (716) 898-0850 ext 109. For any additional information on carsharing, bikesharing, ridesharing, or other creative alternative transportation methods, please call (716) 898-0850 or send an email to info@buffalocarshare.org
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About Buffalo CarShare
Buffalo CarShare is a non-profit, community-driven organization that advances affordable and environmentally friendly transportation. The program serves 800 members 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.
Friday, April 25, 2014
The Wolf Leaves the Pack
The Wolf (Ford F-150) has finally decided to call it quits. He's been by our side for almost 4 years with over 1400 reservations and over 4500 hours of use!
We originally purchased him thanks to a gift from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, allowing us to extend discounts on the truck to non-profit members.
We very much hope to replace the truck soon, but we are not sure when that will be. We will definitely keep you updated.
If you want to help us in purchasing a new truck here is how:
We very much hope to replace the truck soon, but we are not sure when that will be. We will definitely keep you updated.
If you want to help us in purchasing a new truck here is how:
* You can write us a sharemonial, a story of how having access to a truck has helped or changed your life. Sharemonials may help us in obtaining a new truck from a Foundation.
* You can give a gift membership to a friend or loved one.
* You can invest in a lifetime membership for $500.
* You can donate us a truck or car. We are a non-profit (501c3), so a donation can be considered a tax deductible donation.
For more information on donating, please go to http://donate.buffalocarshare.org.
Monday, March 10, 2014
SuperStar Member of the Month—Aaron Krolikowski
Interview by Jennifer White (PR and Marketing Associate at BCS)
Jen: Can you give us a quick background of yourself?
Jen: Tell us a little about your education and your job, what you do at the Tool Library.
Aaron: The University Heights Tool Library (UHTL) is a community service of the University Heights Collaborative (that's the umbrella organization that supports the work of the block clubs, the farmer's market, the garden walk, etc). It's a tool lending library and is similar to a public library, but instead of lending out books, people can take out hammers, saws, and lawn mowers. We provide students, renters, homeowners, and others with the tools they need to work on their homes, parks, and other public spaces. The UHTL has also been active in providing service opportunities for UB students and residents to work side by side on neighborhood improvement. Last year we worked on tree plantings, park cleanups, graffiti removal, and street art in the neighborhood.
Aaron: I decided to become a CarShare member when I moved back, but wasn't able to enroll until this winter. When I started my job with United Way, I wanted to make sure I had transportation to the suburbs if I needed it. As I mentioned, I do most of my traveling via bike, bus, and train—Buffalo CarShare is the best complement to that. I have access to a car whenever I need one, but I don't have to worry about insurance, gas, maintenance, or payments. I save a significant amount of money that way. Beyond the occasional job-related travel, I typically use CarShare to get to my grandparents' home in West Seneca for Sunday dinners.
Aaron: I was born in South Buffalo and grew up on the border of ski country and the Southtowns in Glenwood. I'm one of five kids and had to learn about the value of sharing and cooperation from an early age. I moved to Europe in 2009 for my grad school and to pursue a PhD, but moved back to Buffalo and into University Heights a little over a year ago. Life in Europe was great because I didn't have a car, I lost a ton of weight, and I really learned how to use public transit. When I moved back I wanted to see if I could live without owning a car. It's been working out pretty well so far.
Aaron: I studied political science and environmental studies at UB as an undergrad. After my time in the SUNY system, I was fortunate to win a Clarendon Scholarship for grad school. I was at the University of Oxford for a while, where I completed a Masters Degree in Development Studies and a PhD in Geography. This period of my life took me to a lot of very different places, where I was able to observe and learn how different cities valued cars, public transit, bicycling, and walking. I visited and/or lived in the UK, Tanzania, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Turkey, Kenya, Qatar, and Austria (to name a few). Everywhere I went, I was thinking "What can Buffalo learn from this?" After moving back to the region, I started a job as Director of Research and Public Policy with United Way of Buffalo & Erie County. Outside of work, I spend a lot of time working with the University Heights Tool Library, where I help staff the tool lending library and organize service events and activities that support community change.
Jen: Please tell us about how the Tool Library helps the University Heights Community?
Aaron: The University Heights Tool Library (UHTL) is a community service of the University Heights Collaborative (that's the umbrella organization that supports the work of the block clubs, the farmer's market, the garden walk, etc). It's a tool lending library and is similar to a public library, but instead of lending out books, people can take out hammers, saws, and lawn mowers. We provide students, renters, homeowners, and others with the tools they need to work on their homes, parks, and other public spaces. The UHTL has also been active in providing service opportunities for UB students and residents to work side by side on neighborhood improvement. Last year we worked on tree plantings, park cleanups, graffiti removal, and street art in the neighborhood.
Jen: How can people get involved with the UHTL?
Aaron: If you're interested in volunteering, you can go to our volunteer page. If you're interested in becoming a member, you can go to membership page. It's a $10 annual membership fee, and you need a piece of mail to verify residency, a photo ID, and two references.
Jen: Why did you decide to become a CarShare member and what do you use it for?
Aaron: I decided to become a CarShare member when I moved back, but wasn't able to enroll until this winter. When I started my job with United Way, I wanted to make sure I had transportation to the suburbs if I needed it. As I mentioned, I do most of my traveling via bike, bus, and train—Buffalo CarShare is the best complement to that. I have access to a car whenever I need one, but I don't have to worry about insurance, gas, maintenance, or payments. I save a significant amount of money that way. Beyond the occasional job-related travel, I typically use CarShare to get to my grandparents' home in West Seneca for Sunday dinners.
Jen: What do you for fun!?
Aaron: When the weather is nice, Buffalo is synonymous with fun. There is never a lack of activity when the sun is shining and Olmsted's parkways are calling me and my bike. In the winter, I've been spending a lot of time at some of the newer haunts around the city: The Lobby Bar at the Statler, Blue Monk Gypsy Parlor, Providence Social, Shango, etc. Beyond these, I think I'm like many other Buffalonians my age...I spend a *lot* of time exploring the area, finding old buildings, churches, industrial sites. There are some really incredible things that seem to have been lost to history.
Be Part of Buffalo BikeShare!
Coordinator Needed
Spring is almost here and Buffalo BikeShare is searching for a hands-on coordinator to run this nationally recognized BikeSharing program. Partnering with UB and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Buffalo BikeShare provides the Buffalo community with a unique shared transportation option using “smart” bicycles; whether for exercise, pleasure, or just for simple, environmentally friendly transportation, BikeShare can get you there conveniently and affordably.
If you want to be part of this cutting edge initiative, and have a “can do!” attitude, please submit your resume with cover letter to Lisa@tripletrackhrpartners.com for consideration. Please note your experience with bicycle building, repair, sales, and/or maintenance in your cover letter and/or on your resume. 25-30 hours / week to start, but may evolve into a FT role. $12.50/hour. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Spring is almost here and Buffalo BikeShare is searching for a hands-on coordinator to run this nationally recognized BikeSharing program. Partnering with UB and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, Buffalo BikeShare provides the Buffalo community with a unique shared transportation option using “smart” bicycles; whether for exercise, pleasure, or just for simple, environmentally friendly transportation, BikeShare can get you there conveniently and affordably.
If you want to be part of this cutting edge initiative, and have a “can do!” attitude, please submit your resume with cover letter to Lisa@tripletrackhrpartners.com for consideration. Please note your experience with bicycle building, repair, sales, and/or maintenance in your cover letter and/or on your resume. 25-30 hours / week to start, but may evolve into a FT role. $12.50/hour. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.