Today, we have many mobility services available, allowing you to choose the best way to travel or make your trip, whether within a city or between different locations.
One of the most innovative and interesting options is carsharing, which Astara offers in Madrid and for traveling to the city from other locations, through the GoTo platform.
We explain what carsharing is and what benefits you'll enjoy when you decide to sign up for this service.
What is carsharing?
The term “ carsharing ” combines two English concepts: “car” and “sharing.”
It's quite widespread today, but traditionally it was unthinkable. Not too many years ago, a car was a property tied to a specific person. The only variations on this concept were involving another person for the regular driving of that same vehicle and car rental companies.
New technologies and different ways of understanding mobility, from a more sustainable and economical perspective, have led to the development of carsharing.
As its original terms imply, this service is based on sharing a vehicle that one does not own, but rather has the right to use for a specific time and/or distance.
Essentially, it's the ability to access a vehicle catalog, like the one we offer at Astara , choose the car you need, and use it temporarily. Once the service is over, the car is parked and becomes available for other users.
How does the carsharing service work?
Car -sharing is a real possibility today for several reasons, starting with the shift in drivers' mindset, who are embracing the possibility of driving different vehicles without owning any of them.
Awareness about sustainability has also contributed to this, as this mobility option significantly reduces the number of vehicles on the road and expands parking options for everyone, resulting in fewer polluting gas emissions.
But without a doubt, the greatest contribution comes from current technology. Car-sharing services operate, in most cases, through platforms managed from a downloadable app or mobile application.
With Astara Move 's GoTo car-sharing service, it's much easier to understand how it works. The first thing you need to do is download the app and register on the platform.
Once your account is verified, simply log in to the platform and choose the closest vehicle to your location from a catalog of more than 500 vehicles . From there, simply make a reservation based on whether you need to use it for a few minutes, several hours, or even a few days, then go to the location and start using it.
When you're done driving that car, you must drive it to a shared parking area for this service or a specific parking area for that vehicle, given that some cars in the catalog have their own parking lot.
You drop off the vehicle, complete the service, and the car is now available for another user who needs to make the necessary journey.
Among the technological advances that have most facilitated our current enjoyment of services like car-sharing, we must mention Fintech, that is, current financial options via the Internet.
Thanks to this, we can link our credit or debit card to pay for the service. Specifically, with the Astara Move service, you can receive monthly invoices specific to the service used for the different trips made each month. At the same time, you will receive the receipt in your email.
This is how carsharing services generally work from the user's perspective. Now, how can the company calculate the cost of the service?
Well, it can be done in two ways: by time period or by kilometer . In the first, the vehicle's usage is identified, depending on whether it's minutes, hours, or days, and a rate is offered based on that usage.
On the other hand, we have the calculation by kilometers traveled, in which case it is the mileage that applies a related cost, which, ultimately, is the amount that users have to pay.
Advantages of the carsharing service
Car- sharing offers significant advantages , which are precisely what has helped to stimulate interest among users around the world, given that more and more cities are including it among their mobility options.
Below are some of these advantages, which you'll also find in Astara's carsharing service:
Cost of service
Nowadays, many drivers find buying a car a financial challenge , especially if they're not sure which model will be suitable for the medium term, for example, if they plan to start a family.
Car-sharing is a perfect alternative in this regard. The cost is minimal, starting at €0.17/minute for electric cars or €3/hour with the GoTo SMART PLUS+ membership service.
Spontaneity with carsharing
There are times when the need for a vehicle arises unexpectedly, especially when we're trying to get around the city and, for whatever reason, we rule out using public transportation and other mobility options.
The system is instant. You just have to log into the platform and reserve the nearest vehicle to drive it to your desired destination. You don't have to rely on your own car (which you might have parked at home or in the garage) and at a minimal cost.
Services included
One of the reasons vehicle ownership was traditionally the standard approach to driving a car was because, in addition to assuming the cost of purchasing a car, there were also other related services that were inherently tied to ownership, such as insurance or paying taxes.
Legislation has also helped advance this area. That's why today, Astara offers car-sharing options with all services included, such as taxes, comprehensive insurance with excess, maintenance, and even roadside assistance.
In fact, we include a refueling card in the service in case you need to go to a service station to continue your trip.
Contribution to sustainability
Perhaps you hadn't thought about it, but carsharing directly impacts sustainability in cities.
When you have the option to choose a car-sharing vehicle, you're helping to reduce the number of cars on the road, which helps improve traffic conditions. But it also means fewer cars parked on the streets, freeing up space for everyone else.
In addition, Astara 's commitment to the environment is firm, and that's why our fleet is progressively incorporating more and more electric vehicles, with the goal that in the future, the vast majority of our catalog will be 100% electric.
Carsharing in Madrid with Astara Move
If you're in Madrid, you can enjoy the Astara Move carsharing service to get around the city.
You have more than 500 vehicles available and different rental options, depending on your needs. You can use it to get to your work center, run errands, or even take a trip outside the city.
And if you're coming to Madrid from another city, Astara also offers you a very interesting option from the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport.
Carsharing at Madrid Airport
Astara 's GoTo service allows you to pick up your car directly at the airport and drop it off there when you return.
This way, you don't have to depend on other people's schedules or public transportation to get to your destination. You have a car available 24 hours a day, with rates starting from €0.17/minute.
If you're thinking about the best way to get around Madrid, carsharing is undoubtedly a very interesting option. And if you want to enjoy all its advantages, remember that with Astara Move, you have the best service and the best cars for your trips.