Limerick Council Seeks New Car Rental Service Following Cuts

Limerick City and County Council has initiated a search for a new car rental service to address recent service reductions by GoCar. The company has decreased its fleet in the area, citing an increase in anti-social behaviour as the primary reason for this decision. The council’s plan aims to introduce a car club scheme that will feature up to 40 vehicles, with a minimum of 10% designated as electric.

The concept of a car club allows users to rent vehicles on a pay-as-you-go basis, providing an alternative to conventional car ownership. Instead of committing to a single vehicle, members can access a car or van for short periods, paying only for the duration and distance of their use. This model is particularly appealing in urban environments where parking and maintenance can be challenging.

During a recent metropolitan council meeting, Elisa O’Donovan, a representative of the Social Democrats, confirmed that the local authority has released a tender inviting companies to express interest in providing this short-term rental service throughout Limerick. The tender outlines expectations regarding cost and timelines for implementation.

The council has emphasized that the new car club scheme must incur “no financial cost” to the authority. According to the council’s documentation, it is essential that the service can operate effectively with minimal input from Limerick City and County Council. They specified that no capital or operational funding would be required from the council. The availability of on-street parking and designated spaces, such as at Colbert Station, is intended to facilitate the service’s establishment.

The objective of the car club is to reduce the number of car journeys and the demand for parking spaces in the city. Currently, Limerick has only eight vehicles registered within the existing car club framework. The council is particularly interested in extending the service to significant employment zones on the outskirts of the city, including the National Technology Park at Plassey and the Raheen Industrial Estate.

Providers will be expected to integrate their services with other existing car club schemes in Limerick, potentially allowing users to pay a single fee that covers multiple options. In addition, there is a stipulation that the chosen provider must remove any vehicles parked illegally within 120 minutes during working hours and within eight hours when offices are closed.

GoCar did not respond to a request for comment regarding the reduction of their services in Limerick. As the council moves forward with this initiative, the community will be watching closely to see how these changes will impact local transport options and address concerns around anti-social behaviour.