2023-10-23 16:47:00
In the Brussels Region, the colorful “Cambio” locations have grown like mushrooms over several years. Alongside them, anthracite Miles cars are multiplying. Just like the reddish Poppy ones. Whether free-floating or stationary, shared cars are rapidly gaining ground in the capital.
But once the regional border is crossed, the offer is reduced to nothing. Same observation as for shared scooters and bicycles, whose services stop at the limit of the 19 municipalities.
On a scooter, impossible to cross the Flemish border: the municipalities of the Brussels Rand block the arrival of two-wheelers, “we don’t want them”
Operators make no secret of it: their model is less attractive in the outskirts than in the city center. The Miles operator does not even serve all the Brussels municipalities. Several arguments are put forward. The first is administrative: “we must request authorizations in each new municipality where we would like to operate (apart from Brussels where the license can be obtained at the regional level, covering the 19 municipalities)”, explains Poppy. “Obtaining a license requires several months of preparation and collaboration with the municipalities.”
The other reason is economic: the Rand, less dense than Brussels, turns out to be less profitable. “What we absolutely want to avoid is that a vehicle goes several days without being used, whereas in other areas a vehicle dropped off is rented once more within 5 minutes,” notes Poppy.
The timid Brabant conquest of Cambio
Of the three biggest players in the sector, only Cambio has a few stations for shared vehicles on the outskirts of Brussels: Vilvoorde, Grimbergen, Tervueren and Zaventem… but nothing to the west of Brussels.
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“Extension to the outskirts is underway. We leave Brussels and it’s a big hit,” explains Frédéric Van Malleghem, who doesn’t hide the constraints. “Free-floating is focused on large urban centers. The potential is less in rural areas. The idea is mutualization. To do this, the good must be easy to share. Urban sprawl is a difficulty. ” Roughly speaking: taking several minutes to find a vehicle is a hindrance. In addition, carsharing targets those who “do not use their car on a daily basis”. A public, given the distances and transport services, fewer in number in the Rand than in Brussels.
“We deplore”
In the Rand communes, on the other hand, we sigh at this absence. “We deplore. We are not interested in operators,” notes Johan Forton, alderman in Kraainem. In the entity, a municipal shared car will be set up. “But it’s just a small gesture.”
At the neighbor’s, in Wezembeek-Oppem, we say we want to welcome the operators with open arms. “The municipality intends to reserve spaces in strategic locations for shared vehicles. But at this time, we do not have any serious contacts with operators,” explains Mayor Frédéric Petit (MR). For the liberal, part of the Wezembeek population might be attracted by shared cars. Particularly to replace a second little-used vehicle.
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”A lot of things stop at the border. It’s a shame not to have this service here. But the need is there, especially among young people given the price of cars,” notes Alexis Calmeyn (MR), mayor in Drogenbos.
At Cambio, we also pass the buck to the municipalities, which must come forward. “A start-up is always done in consultation and at the request of a local authority, which commits itself on several points, including on the financial level.”
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