Ixelles speeds up car sharing offer in Brussels municipality

The Brussels municipality of Ixelles is planning to open a new Cambio station near Fernand Cocq Square before the summer.

In a boost to car sharing facilities, the station ‘Cocq’ will offer seven additional vehicles as well as guaranteeing users a dedicated parking space.

The ‘Blyckaerts’, ‘De Hennin’, ‘Ma Campagne’ and ‘Mercelis’ stations will also each receive an extra vehicle.

Following the ‘Cocq’ opening, Ixelles will have 32 car-sharing stations, with a total of 111 vehicles.

Mobility and parking alderwoman Valérie Libert said: “This is a densely populated and busy neighbourhood where, until now, there was no station-based car-sharing offer.

“The recent departure of Getaround has further weakened that offer, at a time when demand is increasing. It was therefore time to reintroduce this type of shared vehicle in the neighbourhood, while also strengthening the existing stations across the municipality,” she added.

“One Cambio car replaces up to 13 privately owned vehicles and is used by around 30 households. Users not only gain easy access to a car, but also benefit from the guarantee of a parking space in their neighbourhood,” the alderwoman emphasised.

For local residents who own a car but do not have a private garage, the municipal off-street ‘Tulipe’ car park, located near the Fernand Cocq Square, offers subscription options including an evening-and-weekend package for €44 per month.

A municipality spokesman said, “While a car is sometimes necessary, it is increasingly viewed through a logic of use rather than ownership: people use a car when they need one, in specific situations.”

The new facilities, she added, will “promote sustainable mobility and at the same time provide simple and affordable access to a car.”