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CuseCar revs ride-share engine

Brandon Talbot
Business Journal - Central New York, The

Sep 18, 2008 20:00 EDT

SYRACUSE - This fall, consumers will be able to get behind the wheel of Central New York's newest transportation option, CuseCar Inc., a nonprofit, member-based, car-sharing organization specializing in sustainable transportation. Co-founders Vita DeMarchi and Eckardt C. Beck say the recently incorporated nonprofit is nearing operational status following the hiring of Timothy Hunt as executive director.

Beck explains that the hiring of an executive director was the next step in a process that began in May, and will follow with the unveiling of three hybrid vehicles this fall. He says the nonprofit's planning stages have been cautious and have focused on understanding the market and building strategic relationships with the local transportation community. Area transportation officials serve as members on the organization's advisory committee.

The CuseCar founders say they did a thorough survey of the existing car-sharing programs, looking at nonprofit organizations such as PhillyCarShare in Philadelphia, but also surveying for-profit companies like ZipCar in Rochester.

CuseCar chose the nonprofit model because it embraces the founder's vision of a sustainable community, says DeMarchi. With the push to make Syracuse a green city, the impetus behind CuseCar is to create a community-based, car-sharing program that will benefit the environment by reducing vehicle miles traveled, lowering the region's carbon footprint, and improving air quality, she says. The nonprofit designation also has the benefit of providing lower capital and operational expenses than a for-profit operation.

The nonprofits largest initial expense will be the purchase of three hybrid vehicles made possible by a $400,000 contribution by co-founders DeMarchi and Beck. For now the organization will maintain headquarters at 325 E. Water St., sharing office space with Synapse Partners, LLC, a group of Syracuse-based companies that provide brownfield redevelopment services and risk-management insurance products. DeMarchi and Beck are managing partners at Synapse.

DeMarchi believes that what makes Hunt the right choice for executive director is his experience as CEO of I'm Smart of Central New York, Inc., a for-profit transportation business that provides members and their vehicles with a safe ride home if they go out drinking. The partnership with I'm Smart brings additional benefits to CuseCar members, she says, including access to defensive driver training as well as the I'm Smart service.

Hunt will maintain his position as CEO of I'm Smart, and his additional role will allow him to share membership lists, bringing about about 1,800 members into the CuseCar fold, according to Hunt. I'm Small maintains a fleet of six vehicles, provides about 400 rides a month, and has about 1,200 corporate members covering about 26,000 individuals, he adds.

The next step for CuseCar is to ramp up its marketing efforts and include sponsorship opportunities at origination and destination locations, says Sarah Roberts, business development director. For example, businesses may sponsor CuseCar origination lots, where members pick up their CuseCar or sponsor frequently traveled shopping and entertainment destinations throughout the city.

Funding for the program will stem from corporate and individual membership fees, program service fees, sponsorship of origination and destination locations, and possibly grants from energy and economic-development organizations, Beck adds.

CuseCar, Inc.

325 E. Water St.

Syracuse, N.Y. 13202

Phone: (315) 475-3700

Fax: (315) 475-3780

Web site: www.cusecar.com

* Type of organization: Community car sharing organization

* Year established: 2008

* Employees: 1

* Mission: To reduce vehicle miles traveled, lower the carbon footprint, improve air quality, and assist in developing new green energy fuel distribution in the community.

* Programs: 24-hour membership-based car sharing for individuals and corporations, I'm Smart of CNY driver service, defensive-driver training

* Service area: Greater Syracuse area

JUST THE FACTS

KEY STAFF

Timothy L. Hunt ... Executive Director

RECENT ORGANIZATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

* Incorporation as CuseCar, Inc

* Hiring of Executive Director Timothy L. Hunt

* Partnership with I'm Smart of CNY

PLANNING OUTLOOK

* Delivery of three hybrid vehicles

* Identification of appropriate CuseCar locations