GoForth Electric CarShare to Expand in Bingen, White Salmon
GoForth Electric CarShare, a collaborative partnership between Forth, Mobility Development, and community-owned utilities is expanding its service area in the Columbia River Gorge.
A GoForth electric vehicle located in The Dalles, OR. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
GoForth Electric CarShare, a collaborative partnership between Forth, Mobility Development, and community-owned utilities is expanding its service area in the Columbia River Gorge to include Bingen and White Salmon, Washington. Services in Bingen and White Salmon may begin as early as June of 2023, provided the program can mitigate ongoing issues with electric vehicle supply chain issues brought on by the covid-19 pandemic.
The car-sharing pilot program provides affordable access to all-electric cars to test drive and use for errands, shopping or appointments.
Currently, GoForth has several locations throughout Oregon and Washington, including The Dalles, OR which has had a carshare program in operation since 2022.
To use the service, anyone over 21 years of age with a valid driver's license, relatively clean driving record, and a valid credit, debit or bank card can download the Miocar Networks App from the App Store or Google Play, or go to the Miocar website. After registering their account and having an orientation with a GoForth staff member, they can view where cars are located, reserve the vehicle through the app for a time they’d like to use it, unlock the vehicle with the app, and return it to the parking spot after their trip.
The first four-hour ride with GoForth is free, and recurring rentals rates start at $4 per hour (plus applicable tax). Cars can be rented for a maximum of 24 hrs, although longer reservations are considered on a case-by-case basis depending on other reservations and community needs.
GoForth CarShare has received the support of several organizations, including the American Power Association, Work First Local Planning Area, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, Northern Wasco County PUD, Regional Transportation Council, The City of White Salmon, The City of Bingen, and Washington State Department of Transportation.
“They’ve been major stakeholders and a major help. I really want to highlight their hard work and efforts as a part of this partnership,” said Stefenie Griggs, GoForth Program Manager.
The majority of funding for the GoForth pilot program expansion in Bingen and White Salmon comes from the Washington Department of Transportation “ZAP” grant, a Zero-emissions Access Program grant, which provides funding for non-profit and government organizations in Washington. The pilot program has currently secured program initiation and operational funding and hopes to be fully operational in White Salmon and Bingen, WA by June of 2023.
A GoForth Nissan Leaf charging in downtown The Dalles, OR.
“We’re trying to build a model for clean affordable car sharing that is beneficial to different types of communities,” said Griggs.
Griggs, who grew up in Roseburg, OR, said she has first-hand knowledge of the transportation struggles facing rural areas including reliability of transportation, vast distances separating communities from vital services, and rising costs of gasoline.
“We’re trying to bridge the gap between the public transportation that is available and the practical needs that people have. For example people who need reliable transportation to get to Portland for a doctor's appointment. So that’s the motivation behind the project, we’re trying to provide clean and affordable transportation for folks,” said Griggs.
Griggs also notes that rural communities typically struggle to access alternative transportation options such as walking or biking because of safety issues.
“Typically in rural areas there are a lot of highways that are not particularly safe to walk,” said Griggs.
For more information about GoForth CarShare visit ForthMobility.org.
For more information about the “Envoy There” vehicle car share pilot program in Hood River visit CityofHoodRiver.gov.
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