More Belgians happy to car-share

Cambio, the company which organises car-sharing in Belgium, has ambitious plans for further growth. The organisation told the daily De Morgen that it hopes to attract 100,000 members. This is over 10 times the current membership.

At the beginning of the year Cambio had 6,805 members. In comparison with the year before the membership in 2008 grew by 37 percent. Significant growth in membership was seen especially in the Brussels Capital Region, which saw a rise of 44%. More than half of the members of Cambio live in the capital.

Car-sharing is simple. Cambio has a number of parking places where one can reserve a car at the appointed time. At the end of the month the car user pays for the times and mileage a car was used. Car-sharing is very popular for people who only need a car every once in a while.

The high price of petrol in the first half of the year, the high cost of maintaining a car and the economic crisis have contributed to the popularity of car-sharing.

A better supply of cars and collaboration with public transport companies has also contributed to the scheme’s success, says Cambio.

Cambio has ambitious expectations of growth. In the daily De Morgen David Van Kesteren of Cambio explains, "By the end of 2010 we hope to have 14,000 members. In the long run we hope that it will be possible to expand the network to 100,000 Belgians."

AFP/Expatica