FAQ

Q. Is car sharing right for you?
A. Car sharing is the perfect solution to the transportation needs for many Buffalonians. If you rely heavily on your car and drive it at least twice a day, car sharing may not be for you. For others who are looking to rely less on their vehicles, car sharing provides access to people and families who need a vehicle.

Q. What is a nonprofit organization?
A. Unlike for-profit organizations, a nonprofit agency's main concern is to satisfy its mission, rather than profitability. With this model, nonprofits can provide a more affordable and reliable service for its customers. In contrast to many for-profit corporations, Buffalo CarShare was founded by people who are very familiar with Buffalo, giving our members a unique knowledge of the area that many for-profits would not have. We love Buffalo!

Q. Who is eligible for membership?
A. All you need is a valid driver license with no significant driving violations. If you are 18-21 years old, a slightly different approach is taken. For more information on this, please contact the Buffalo CarShare team at BuffaloCarShare@gmail.com.

Q. How much does membership cost?
A. Membership costs $20.00 and $5.00 for frequent and infrequent members, respectively.

Q. How much are the hourly rental rates?
A. Hourly rental rates cost $5.00 and $8.00 per hour for frequent and infrequent members, respectively.

Q. What is the difference between Frequent and Infrequent Membership?

A. Membership is based on the number of hours you plan to use a Buffalo CarShare vehicle and the number of miles you will travel. The break-even point between both memberships, assuming driving 10 miles per hour reserved, would be at 5 hours a month of usage. More would indicate savings on Frequent Membership while less would save you on Infrequent Membership.

Q. How much is the mileage surcharge?
A. Mileage surcharge is $0.20 per mile regardless of membership type.

Q. Do I have to pay for my own gas that I used?
A. No, gas is included in your membership fees.

Q. How do I know if I should sign up for a frequent or infrequent membership?
A. You can determine if you should purchase a Frequent or Infrequent membership by using our quick and easy "Membership Calculator" (coming soon!!).