The Analysis of Carsharing Market in Polish Cities

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show the development of car sharing in Polish cities. The main focus was put on the demand on this sort of services and the range of cars offered as a part of these services. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research study covers changes in the car sharing market in Poland. The author concentrates on core criteria, such as rental prices, vehicle types, location, and the system of renting and returning vehicles. The study employs a comparative analysis. Findings: When analyzing car sharing services in Poland, one should keep in mind the fact that it is a new profile of activity, still under development. Therefore, companies are not willing to share information which may be unfavorable and could generate negative opinions about the service. Practical Implications: One of the key concerns of the urban transport system in Poland is increasing access to automobiles. Car sharing as an element of the sharing economy lowers car ownership rates, which contributes to a reduction of car traffic and noise volumes, an increase in parking spots availability, and cleaner air. Originality/Value: Subject literature rarely mentions car sharing in Poland; it is scarce and usually consists in journal and news articles, typically online.