I-GO Brings Car Sharing to IIT Campus
I-GO, Chicago’s community-based, environmentally sound, not-for-profit car sharing program, will expand its service to Illinois Institute of Technology’s (IIT) campus Friday, February 10 at 10 a.m.
I-Go and IIT will celebrate the event with a ribbon cutting at the McCormick Tribune Campus Center, 3201 South State St. Congressman Bobby Rush and State Senator Mattie Hunter are expected to attend.
“I-GO will provide IIT students, faculty, staff and our community with a low-cost transportation option,” said John Collins, IIT Vice President of Business & Administration. “We’re excited about the opportunity to offer this service while at the same time contributing to the effort to reduce congestion and vehicle emissions in Chicago.”
I-GO was launched in 2002 as a pilot program by the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) to help alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution in the City of Chicago. I-GO has the support of many public agencies and businesses, including the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Mayor’s Office and the Chicago Transit Authority. Surveys have shown that each environmentally friendly shared car removes 8-12 privately owned vehicles from congested city streets.
“The IIT campus has all of the ideal conditions for a successful car sharing program,” said I-GO CEO Sharon Feigon. “Many students don’t have cars and with two I-GO cars on campus, students can have access to a car when they need one. Students can save money and do something good for the environment by sharing an I-GO car.”
I-GO cars cost $6 an hour plus $.50 a mile. As a bonus, between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., there are no hourly charges.
I-GO covers the gas, insurance, parking, and maintenance. I-GO offers a fleet of 51 low-emission Honda Civic Hybrids, Honda Civics and Honda Elements in 20 Chicago neighborhoods and Evanston. The company plans to expand to over 100 cars by year’s end. I-Go has signed up nearly 2000 members throughout the Chicago area.
I-GO members can reserve an I-GO car either online or over the phone minutes before they need a car—or days or weeks ahead—without having to wait in any lines or fill out any paperwork.
To join or to learn more about this innovative car sharing program, visit the I-GO website at www.igocars.com or call 773-278-4446.
Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.
