Citiz is a car-sharing network in France. Founded in 2002 under the name France-Autopartage, the Citiz network is a cooperative created by the pioneers of car-sharing in France (groups of inhabitants of Marseille, Lyon, Grenoble and Strasbourg). The company developed car-sharing services close to the regions and users, the Citiz network now includes 14 independent local car-sharing operators.
A small company with less than 10 employees, it operates as a non-profit cooperative to create a network of different types of vehicles linked to public transport. It is helping to reduce congestion in the city and cut CO2 emissions with its car-sharing services. Of great relevance to the SIM project, Citiz is implemented locally by public companies and non-profit cooperative societies. Users and local authorities participate in decision-making taking into consideration policy, rules and regulations, in the interest of all.
It is therefore quite natural that the network bringing together these structures has adopted the form of a cooperative consumer society. The capital and decisions are mainly in the hands of local car-sharing structures, which invest daily in the improvement and development of car-sharing throughout France. The Citiz network’s mission is to make life easier for car-sharing users and to support the sustainability of local car-sharing services. The network’s shared cars are accessible in 190 French cities, including about 60 SNCF stations. These services allow 50,000 users to share the use of 2,000 self-service cars.
Listen to Sarah who has worked with Citiz for three years and is responsible for its CSR and regional development.