The new UIC I-GO car sharing program allows students to rent time on environmentally friendly cars.

Car sharing saves gas money

Rosie Czech

Posted: 9/11/06

At end of the Spring 2006 semester, a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid was added to the UIC campus on May 18 as a part of the I-GO Car Sharing program. However many students, new and old, are not even aware that this program exists, since it started after the academic year came to an end.

"I didn't even know that UIC had an I-GO car on campus. I guess it's a good idea, but UIC is such a big commuter school that I don't know if a lot of students would use it." said Jennifer Sargent, a fourth year English major.

According to the sales and marketing coordinator of the I-GO program, Richard Kosmacher, there are approximately 20-30 UIC accounts open as of right now.

"The biggest impediment is that we launched at the end of the semester, but quite honestly we just wanted to get people to sign-up," said Kosmacher. "I think the main thing now is that people need to know about [the program]. Once people learn about it, they'll find it to be a really good service."

Since the program has started at UIC, I-GO has lowered some of their rates, which may make it more appealing. The program offers two types of pay as you go plans: the first for $6 an hour and $0.50 per mile, and the second plan for $8.25 an hour but with 25 miles included, making it an ideal plan for long distance trips.

The program itself is expanding, with over 3,000 members and 80 cars in the Chicagoland area. They have also added more cars than just Honda Hybrids. They now have Toyota Prius and Scions.

The benefit of the program for the university is that the car is specifically designated for only those with a valid UIN. So only those with UIC accounts can use the car, but they also receive the benefit of being able to use any other I-GO car in Chicago as well.

Currently, there is a car is located in campus parking Lot 8 located in 401 S. Peoria St. By the end of this semester, I-GO has decided to place a second car on the west campus in the lot in 820 S. Paulina Ave. by the Polk Blue Line stop. This car, like the first, will only be available to those who have an account through UIC.

There is another a car located at 1800 S. Halsted St., and one soon to be placed at 130 S. Ashland Ave. These will be available to all I-GO customers, not just UIC members, but it does offer more options in the area for those on the South Campus and in the Medical District.

"We think that there is potential for having more UIC students using the service, and if things go well we would add more cars [to be] available to the students," stated Kosmacher.

I-GO has also partnered up with IKEA to offer exclusive parking spaces available only for I-GO cars at both the Bolingbrook and Schaumburg locations. Together, they are hoping to raise the awareness of car sharing and its environmental benefits.

The promotion for UIC accounts is still valid until the end of the year. The sign-up fee is $75, but the promotion code V15UIC can be entered online and gives $25 in free driving vouchers. For more information, visit www.igocars.org. Any questions about the program may be e-mailed to rkosmacher@igocars.org or called in directly to Richard Kosmacher at (773) 269-4011.