There is a group of people in Vernon County working toward the goal of offering a car-sharing program to reduce the cost of driving and the impact of vehicles on the environment.

The idea for Coulee CarShare Cooperative (CCS) was planted in 2007, following the Vernon County Transportation Survey.

The survey showed that more than 50 percent of survey respondents would take advantage of a car-sharing service if it were available. The Readstown, Viroqua, Coon Valley, Stoddard, La Farge and Hillsboro areas showed positive interest from survey respondents at levels above 60 percent. CCS conducted its own surveys in 2008, and found continuing interest.

The CCS Board of Directors began meeting in February of 2008, and will be responsible for managing daily operations.

The board is currently in the process of approving CCS bylaws, polices, fee structure and articles of incorporation. Membership applications, a website and online reservation system, vehicle parking and winter plowing arrangements are being finalized.

Kimberly Errigo, board chair, said they are still in the planning stages and no vehicles are available.

“We need to make sure our liability is covered,” she said.

Errigo said CCS will host a general membership meeting this summer.

Car sharing works on a membership system, not a rental system. As long as person pays a membership fee, he or she will have access to a vehicle. Vehicles can be reserved for an hour, a day or longer periods of time. Member fees will fund CCS’s daily operations.

Errigo said the intention is to have a sedan, van and pickup truck available for members to drive.

According to its fact sheet, “CCS is committed to providing vehicles with high mpg ratings, thereby helping reduce overall vehicle and resource use.”

“A variety of vehicles is important,” she said. “We envision starting out with two or three vehicles.”

One vehicle has already been donated to CCS by a private individual.

“They wanted to make sure the vehicle was used more than it was,” Errigo said. “It was an act of great generosity.”

Membership fees will cover the cost of a second vehicle.

Errigo said the board wants to have the car-sharing service grow in the region, and not just stay centered in Viroqua.

“This is pretty exciting for us,” Errigo said. “We’ve been working on it for a long time.”

On May 6, CCS received the Vernon Economic Development STAR award acknowledging the organization’s positive impact on regional transportation needs.

Anyone interested in becoming involved with CCS or asking questions, may send correspondence to couleecarshare@gmail.com.