Thousands of residents may soon be out of a ride. The carrier that insures Buffalo CarShare is dropping the six-year-old non-profit because New York's outdated "no-fault" insurance law makes coverage too risky for insurance companies.
Buffalo CarShare Executive Director Michael Galligano says this is not an issue in 38 states without no-fault. Galligano says in other cities, car sharing is geared toward high wage earners.
"We focus on the alternative to that, the people that can't afford the cars that the mother of two that needs to get to the doctor's appointment that would take two bus lines to get there. Or go visit friends and family way farther than the bus line can currently go. So, in a way, we're an extension of transit," Galligano said.
Buffalo CarShare provides about 7,000 trips a year. Half of the non-profit's members earn less than $25,000 a year
Galligano says the community service has kept about 600 vehicles off the road, which cut carbon dioxide emissions by 816 tons.