More carsharing in Strasbourg with Citiz projects and the arrival of a competitor

At a time when Citiz is (re)launching an electrification experience for its self-service car fleet, a new company, Shaary, is setting up shop in a similar niche with 30 vehicles. An evolution made possible by the implementation of more terminals in Strasbourg.

In 2020 and 2021, Citiz shared cars were driven less. Lockdowns, curfews, isolation, the rise of video conferencing… So many reasons to stop traveling by car every now and then. But after two years of uncertainty, the Strasbourg cooperative is relaunching future projects with the end of the health crisis. And this renewed optimism coincides with the first-time arrival of a competitor in Strasbourg, a French company called Shaary.

Citiz, which will soon be 20 years old, looks to the future with optimism, as its director, Jean-François Virot-Daub explains:

“One of the consequences of Covid is the increase in daily cycling, so there is less reason to have a personal car. But this is an opportunity for some to switch to car sharing. Above all, there is a real opportunity for professionals who use their vehicle fleet less and who therefore have more specific needs. »

Subscriber renewal and recapitalization

Between January and May 2022, Citiz registered 1,400 new subscribers (out of a total of 15,000) on the Grand Est, the majority in Strasbourg. A faster trend than the 3,000 in 2021 and the 2,400 in 2020. This return to activity should make it possible to absorb the 60,000 euros of losses spread over two years due to the pandemic. Partial unemployment, PGE, installment payments, partner discounts… Citiz pulled all the levers to limit damage after much fear, with 80% less activity during the first lockdown.

It also had the support of local authorities, which contributed capital (150,000 euros for Eurometropolis and 155,000 for Região Grande Est) to enable it to maintain good financial ratios and, therefore, continue to take out loans to renew the fleet. Even in the midst of the storm, Citiz managed to summon its members, who backed up to 50,000 euros in shares.

“Our competitor is above all the individual car. The more supply there is, the more residents will go car-sharing. We have no entry fees and no subscription fees. Our logic is the same everywhere, breaking down barriers to using car-sharing. Our only entry cost is vehicle unlocking. »

If the second city is Strasbourg, it is simply because contact with the municipality was faster than in other metropolises. Shaary will initially have a more limited drop zone map than Citiz initially. Also, bookings cannot be completed on Grande-Île.

Shaary is considering several changes in the next few months, including the waiver card. “We are still discussing with the hypermarkets and the airport to increase our number of drop off points”, adds Diego Isaac. The number of vehicles can also be increased.

Yes comparison! and Shaary

Yes! by citiz

Price: €2.50/hour (or €5 without subscription) + 0.49cts/kilometer

Unlocking the vehicle: €2.50

Maximum price: €22/day and 0.25 cts/km over 100 kilometers

Registration fee: 40 or 20€ (reduced fee)

Signature: Optional. Subscription of €16/month that reduces the hourly rate. Reduced rate for members.

Autonomy: from 150 to 350 kilometers for trams depending on the model and “unlimited” with gasoline cars, with a credit card provided for refueling.

Advance booking: yes, charged quarterly.

Another advantage: Access to the rest of the Citiz network at stations on the Grand Est, with fixed stations, as well as elsewhere in France.

shaary

Price: 35 cents/minute while driving, 15 cents/minute when stationary

Unlocking the vehicle: €1.50

Limited prices: €17 per hour and €50/day

Registration fee: no

Subscription: no

Autonomy: 150 to 200 kilometers.

Advance booking: 15 minutes maximum

Another plus: Access to the Shaary network in Marseille.

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