Promoting carsharing for students in Jyväskylä
About this good practice
City of Jyväskylä tested a carsharing service, targeting the students of the city. The aim was to explore the attitudes of students toward co-ownership of cars / use of carsharing services, with an aim to promote the idea that carsharing is a convenient and economically smart alternative to the ownership of a car. The test period was three months and took place in the spring 2021. The experiment was implemented in cooperation with a local Student Housing Foundation, the City of Jyväskylä and a private carsharing operator.
After the test period, the Student Housing Foundation decided to continue to offer this service to its residents.
The experiment was executed as part of a EU-funded LIFE IP "Circwaste - towards circular economy in Finland" project (2017-2023).
Resources needed
A shared car provider oversees the digital renting system of the cars and their maintenance. The local Student Housing Foundation provides the parking space for the car. During the test period, the City funded the service. Monthly costs were approximately 500 EUR. The rent costs 7 EUR per hour.
Evidence of success
During the whole trial period of three months, the car had approximately 40 active users, while altogether 185 users registered as new clients for the carsharing service during this period. The car was in use each month approximately 19 % of the time.
After a successful experiment and good experiences and feedback, the Central Finland Student Housing Foundation decided to introduce the shared car service as a permanent part of the sustainable services offered for their residents.
Potential for learning or transfer
Working together with local student or other housing associations/companies is a beneficial way to spread the solutions of sharing economy, as these actors are in direct contact with a large number of citizens. Funding a test period and experimenting a solution gives all parties involved a chance to try the solution with low threshold and see the potential for the future.