ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Ithaca Carshare is facing permanent closure without swift action from the governor.
The member-based, non-profit service had to pause operations earlier this year because of a lack of in-state insurance providers. The New York State Legislature unanimously passed a bill in June to clear the way for carshare organizations to secure insurance from out-of-state groups, but it has not yet been signed by Hochul.
“We’ll have to close down if Governor Hochul doesn’t sign the bill as it is written now,” said the Executive Director of the Center for Community Transportation, which includes Ithaca Carshare. “We can’t last much longer, as every day we lose much-needed revenue.”
Ithaca Carshare Director Liz Field says time is of the essence.
“The bill imposes a 6-month wait time before it goes into effect, so we implore the governor to sign it immediately,” said Field. “Every day that passes without her signature is another day our staff are furloughed and members who rely on carshare can’t meet their transportation needs. We don’t understand what the hold up is at this point.”
Ithaca Carshare provided access to 30 vehicles for more than 1,500 members 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
