There was a time when the thought of owning a car was synonymous with the concepts of freedom and independence. However, in recent times, consumers have started to view ownership of a car as both an expense and a burden.

While the car rental business has proved to be a solution to many consumers’ needs, times are continuing to change, to evolve; and so are the desires of consumers. They no longer want rent a car for a day or a week when they may only end up using it for an hour or two. Enter Car Sharing. Often considered the gateway to other forms of Collaborative Consumption, Car Sharing is becoming increasingly popular with its promise of personal convenience and social improvement.

The car sharing model of car rentals is where interested individuals rent cars for short periods of time, often by the hour. Car sharing differs from other forms of car rental in that it is not limited by office hours, vehicles can be rented by the minute, by the hour, as well as by the day, the users are pre-approved to drive and maintenance/ fuel costs are included in the rates.

According to head of St James based Caricom Carshare, Melford Gopaulsingh, after 21 years in the car rental business, he is of the view that car sharing is the future. And based on recent events, he isn’t the only one who believes it is time to embrace the future. Knutsford Express recently joined the myriad of formal and informal car rental services in Jamaica with the announcement of its new subsidiary, KE Connect Limited.

In its financial results for the quarter ending in February, the company indicated that the move was its response to the personalised commuting needs of customers. Knutsford Express had previously expressed concern that its largest competition remains potential customers choosing cars over bus transportation. It is therefore expected that the introduction of this car rental service is an attempt to capture some of that market. It is also thought to be a step towards Car Sharing.

Gopaulsingh says although he is not entirely certain Knutsford will enter the Car sharing market any time soon, it does appear that Jamaicans are becoming more familiar and comfortable with the concept.

However, the founder of the “Caribbean’s First Car Sharing Network’, says he is not concerned by the possibility of competition. He says based on his experience, he should be able to handle whatever competition may come his way. He says for the first time, Caribbean people are now able to rent a vehicle hourly and daily, at low cost, a sign and taste of true innovation.

Gopaulsingh says Caricom CarShare came into being out of the idea of creating the Caribbean’s first car sharing network in an ever evolving industry. He says having taken the opportunity, to be the leader in the car sharing industry in the Caribbean, he is confident he has nothing to fear in terms of competition.