Saving Gig Car Share:

A Lifeline for Working-Class Americans

By Tyler Letren; Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief

Oct 11, 2024

Gig Car Share, launched in 2017, is a pay-as-you-go car rental service operating in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. Accessible via a smartphone app, the service allows users to rent cars on demand and pay only for what they use, with no membership fees. Rates are flexible, including options for minute-by-minute, hourly, or daily rentals. The company offers the freedom of mobility without the financial burden of car ownership, appealing especially to those seeking affordable, sustainable transportation.

However, Gig Car Share is set to permanently cease operations on December 27th, 2024, impacting a vital service for working-class Americans. By now, the company should be eligible for federal funding or assistance from California’s local legislators, along with protections that could help sustain its operations.

This decision impacts a vital service that supports working-class Americans. By now, Gig Car Share should be eligible for federal funding or assistance from California’s local legislators, as well as protections to ensure the continuation of its services.

“Using Gig is like owning a car— but without all the bad parts. So do us a favour and treat Gig like it’s yours.”

The presence of Gig Car Share not only addresses transportation discrepancies but also promotes accessibility and safety. For those working late at night or early in the morning, Gig Car Share shortens distances that would otherwise be too long, even for public transportation. Services like Uber or Lyft are often too expensive for many, and Gig Car provides an affordable alternative for such situations.

Further expansion of Gig Car Share positively impacts the job market, supporting employment in areas such as mechanics, tow truck services, customer support, and design. This ripple effect is especially valuable within the automotive industry.

Rather than discontinuing, Gig Car Share should be expanding across California and beyond. When I first learned about the service, I was, and still am, enthusiastic about its potential for growth, especially in tandem with the advancement of driverless cars across the U.S.

Gig Car Share provides an essential service to all communities, particularly to middle- and low-income individuals, offering sustainable transportation at an affordable cost. Many Californians, including myself, rely on it for daily activities such as commuting to work, school, running errands, and even leisure, like heading to the beach.

While public transportation remains an option, Gig Car Share empowers Americans with a greater sense of independence and flexibility.

The company deserves governmental support for the upkeep and maintenance of its services, ensuring they can continue contributing to the independence of people across the country.

Find more information @ https://gigcarshare.com