Transportation Leaders Gather in Chicago to Launch Shared-Use Mobility Center
Organization will bring collaboration to ride-sharing, bike-sharing, car-sharing industry
CHICAGO (October 27, 2014) – Transportation leaders from across the country gathered in Chicago today to celebrate the official launch of the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), a national, public-interest partnership working to foster collaboration in shared mobility (which includes car-sharing, ride-sharing and bike-sharing) and help connect the burgeoning industry with transit agencies, cities and communities.
“The shared-mobility industry has the potential to offer tremendous social and economic benefits, such as reducing emissions, lessening congestion and improving public health,” said Sharon Feigon, SUMC executive director and former CEO of I-GO CarSharing. “By increasing access to affordable transportation, shared mobility can in turn help expand access to jobs, health care, education and a better quality of life.”
“Through piloting programs, conducting new research and collaborating with cities and the industry, we hope to extend the benefits of shared mobility to all and maximize the public benefits,” Feigon said.
As part of its launch, SUMC conducted a half-day workshop at its downtown Chicago headquarters. The event featured a discussion about current obstacles and opportunities for shared-use mobility, including issues related to street space, technology and service to diverse communities. Event panelists included:
- Emily Castor, Director of Community Relations, Lyft
- Joseph Kopser, CEO and Co-Founder, RideScout
- Karen Weigert, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Chicago
- Tim Papandreou, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning & Policy, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
- Michael Mikos, Director of Strategic Development, car2go
- Michael Bolton, Deputy Executive Director, Strategic Services, Pace
The event also featured speakers and attendees from organizations including Zipcar, Uber, Divvy, B-cycle, Enterprise CarShare, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Pace, Amtrak and key representatives from the City of Chicago and State of Illinois.
Following the workshop, guests celebrated SUMC’s launch with a party at the Energy: Coalition co-working space in the penthouse suite of the Gage Building, located at 18 S. Michigan Avenue across from Chicago’s Millennium Park.
SUMC’s founding partners include the Center for Neighborhood Technology, TransitCenter, the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley and Executive Director Sharon Feigon.
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About the Shared-Use Mobility Center
The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) is dedicated to achieving universal, affordable and sustainable mobility in urban and metropolitan regions of the U.S. through the efficient sharing of transportation assets among peers and through third-party operators. The center is focused on expanding U.S. mobility choices for people and communities by enriching and integrating shared-use mobility services through collaboration and innovation. For more information visit www.sharedusemobilitycenter.org.
