Sunday, January 29, 2012

Autolib is growing


I already told you about Autolib, the short car rental service that allows you to take a car at one station and drop it at another one, near your destination throughout Paris and the suburbs there were 250 stations when they launched the service on December 5, and at the end of 2012, there should be 1 200 stations and 3 000 cars!). The proof is that the station that is right in front of my apartment (in this photo) now offers 4 cars whereas it was always empty before. I'm dying to try (I've never driven an electric car), but I have found no need for one so far.

14 comments:

  1. Well, it IS very convenient when you do find the need of one, eh? :-). What a fun development for Paris transportation. I loved using Velib when I was there in October. What is the distance limit one may put on the odometer for these cars without adding an extra fee?
    -Kim

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  2. I don't drive, but I still think this is a brilliant idea! Let us know if you drive one, Eric. (And that's a good question, Kim.)

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  3. It's brilliant. I look forward to your post when you get a chance to try it.

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  4. It's really a great idea and so much easier than having your own car in the city.
    I can't really imagine how it works out in practice and it could be a problem if the cars aren't brought back to the stations.

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  5. I would not drive in Paris...

    but Bicycle..yes I loved that in Paris...

    but for you Eric...you know Paris so well...

    go for it ..and let us know...it will be fun for you...

    Nicole

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  6. I lived one year in Paris and I loved the vélib. Actually it doesn't make me wonder, that you didn't find a need for it yet - driving within so much traffic, really?

    It always made me laugh when I saw on arte when two people tried to reach a destination - one by car and one by bike. Guess who won? ;)

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  7. That is very interesting! I can imagine that if I lived in a large city I would not want to own a car, but living in the rural area we do, it is a necessity. (even the closest grocery store is 4 miles away, and we're pretty close to town!) This sounds like the perfect alternative. Let us know how you like it, Eric!! :)

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  8. It's true that in the last couple of months I seem to come across these things everywhere, but as you suggest, they are normally, well, carless. Watch this space...

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  9. Ashamed to say that where I live we drive to go to the restroom! ;-)

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  10. I'm really curious about this idea, too. I don't know if it would take off in LA as the distances are greater and might make it unprofitable. I do think its awesome though.

    Re: yesterday's post - I saw Hugo last night (loved it!) and am going to see The Artist this week (anticipate loving it!!). Its a Paris-o-phile's dream come true!!!

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  11. I think it is a great idea and to have a station in front of your apartment isn't a bad idea either. If you should ever have car trouble, you would be set!

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  12. I think that we took photos of this "station" in front of your place. I think that it is a great idea but wonder if there are many accidents with them. Rarely do I see an accident in the streets of Paris!

    Bises,
    Genie

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