SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Carma, a world leader in commuter solutions, and City CarShare, the original Bay Area carsharing network, have announced their partnership. This strategic alliance allows the organizations to merge operations; creating new services that will transform the way users travel in cities and across the region. Through the integration of technologies and systems, a new organization, will provide expanded commuting, carsharing, and other shared mobility services.
Over the next eight weeks, the new Carma will increase the number of operating locations by 25%, invest in newer technologies to enhance the user experience, and expand improved services to more areas. By consolidating operations, the new company aims to be the most innovative and efficient shared mobility provider available.
"City CarShare, like Carma, has been a pioneer in the shared mobility space," said Lawrence Mulligan, CEO of Carma. "We're delighted to join our families, as we take this next step towards extending the convenience and flexibility of our combined services to more people throughout the Bay Area."
City CarShare, a 501 (c)(3) public benefit organization, will continue to function as a nonprofit entity, providing public benefit services, including programs for low and moderate income families, AccessMobile outreach, and educational efforts. All current City CarShare members will continue to receive the existing benefits of membership along with the wide range of improved services. Existing employees of both organizations will work under the Carma brand at the headquarters in San Francisco, or in the office located in Cork, Ireland. To meet growth and service needs, Carma plans to double its staff.
"We are delighted to have joined forces with City CarShare," said Sean O'Sullivan, Carma Board chair. "We now have the platform to disrupt the transportation community in the Bay Area by not only offering a comprehensive and diverse set of transport options, but by extending options to meet demand in the more suburban communities."
"This merger will allow us to continue serving our members but in more innovative ways: expanding our service to reach more areas of our community, increasing the number of cars in our fleet, and, perhaps most importantly, building the best transportation platform for the Bay Area." said Rick Hutchinson, CEO of City CarShare. "Together, our combined technology, resources and vision will help us exceed our goals to take 20,000 cars off the road by 2020."
About Carma
Carma is a carpooling network that connects commuters with similar routes to share rides through a free smartphone app. Carma's main goal is to make ridesharing easy and flexible. Carma has programs in Ireland, Norway, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Austin.
Visit Carma online https://carmacarpool.com/
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About City CarShare
City CarShare (CCS) is the only nonprofit carsharing service in the San Francisco Bay Area. The mission of CCS is to improve the environment and quality of life in Bay Area communities by promoting innovative mobility options. Since 2001, CCS has had a measurable impact in the way communities live, breathe, work and play.
Visit City CarShare online https://citycarshare.org/
Follow CCS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn to stay connected.
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