There are typically 8-15 members per vehicle. Carsharing offers a middle option between having no vehicle and owning a private vehicle. The table below compares personal transportation options. Private vehicle ownership offers the most convenience, has the highest fixed charges and lowest variable charges. Conventional rentals are convenient at major transport terminals but less convenient elsewhere.
Taxis are relatively convenient and have no fixed charges but the highest variable charges.
This table compares convenience and price of five common travel modes. The Carsharing price structure makes occasional use of a vehicle affordable, even for low-income households, and provides an incentive to minimize driving and rely on alternative travel options as much as possible. Station cars are rented at transit stations for travel between terminals and local destinations. This supports transit use, particularly in suburban areas where destinations are too dispersed for convenient pedestrian access. Because they are intended for short trips, station cars can employ small, alternative fuel vehicles, such as battery powered electric cars.