Organisations join forces to open up car-sharing to more people in Brussels
Thirty organisations in Brussels have pledged to make car-sharing more accessible. Car-sharing operators, public organisations, the Ligue des Familles and local authorities formally signed the agreement on Tuesday.
Launched by the Brussels region on the initiative of Environment minister Alain Maron and Mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt, the Green Deal Inclusive Car-Sharing aims to extend the use of car-sharing as a sustainable mobility alternative by giving access to as many people as possible.
"Over the past three years, we have seen an explosion in the use of shared cars in Brussels," said Van den Brandt, of Flemish green party Groen.
"However, we have noticed that certain groups still don't have access: families who need car seats, people who don't have a smartphone, people who have specific needs such as those with limited mobility, or simply people who don't know about these services."
"As well as being financially attractive, the development of car-sharing in Brussels is a real added value for our society"
Over the next few months, some operators will provide child seats in their cars. Others will install vehicles near social housing or organise training courses for people who aren’t familiar with using apps.
The number of car-sharing users in Brussels has tripled since 2021 and more than 50,000 people in the region now regularly drive a shared car. Car-sharing is often financially beneficial: according to sector organisation Autodelen.net, it can save up to 3,000 euros a year for someone who drives less than 12,000 km, compared to owning a car.
"As well as being financially attractive, the development of car-sharing in Brussels is a real added value for our society," said Maron, of francophone green party Ecolo.
"A shared vehicle replaces up to 15 cars on the roads. It helps to improve the region's carbon footprint, and frees up space in public spaces for more user-friendly facilities, such as wider pavements, terraces and vegetation."
© BELGA PHOTO SISKA GREMMELPREZ
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