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.

How Businesses Can Help Buffalo CarShare Drive Change in the City

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                                         

                                                                                         March 4, 2015

   MEDIA CONTACT

  Jennifer White

Jen@BuffaloCarShare.org 

716-898-0850 ext 109

      

                                                        

How Businesses Can Help Buffalo CarShare Drive Change in the City

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.