How the CarSharing System works
Last updated: May 2011
1. Introduction
STATTAUTO was founded in April 1992, and has grown to roughly 9,500 participating members today. Around 95% live in Munich proper. Our participants have a high rate of satisfaction, as their practical experience justifies their expectations. STATTAUTO is continually working to steadily enlarge its network and refine its system to maintain a high quality of service.
2. Membership Contract
If you would like to become a STATTAUTO member, the first steps are signing the contract and paying the registration fee and deposit. After turning in the signed contract you will be given:
- The handbook - a collection of complete practical directions and a current vehicle list. The handbook is also available on the internet for registered members.
- A personal member identification number - essential for booking and billing.
- The telephone numbers of the booking and assistance centers (for emergency service after business hours)
- An identification card with a corresponding PIN for accessing the electronic key safes and the vehicles’ onboard computers, as well as for booking cartime on the internet.
The contract is similar to an extended rental contract, and eliminates the need for individual contracts at each booking.
3. The Fleet
STATTAUTO offers the use of only new or “like new” vehicles. The average age is around 18 months. Vehicles are sold after reaching 80,000 km or an age of three years. Below are examples of the various vehicles available according to class:
- Compact class (Miniklasse): Ford Ka, Toyota Aygo
- Economy car (Kleinwagen): Daihatsu Sirion, Toyota Yaris, Opel Agila
- Midsize car (Mittelklasse): Opel Astra Kombi, Ford Focus Kombi, Fiat Doblo, Renault Megane, Toyota Auris Hybrid
- Minivan: Opel Zafira
- Passenger Van (Kleinbusse): Opel Vivaro, Renault Trafic, Ford Transit
- Cargo van (Kleintransporter): Opel Vivaro, Ford Transit
90% of initial booking requests can be fulfilled with our fleet of 360 to 400 vehicles. STATTAUTO varies the fleet continuously to meet changing needs: more vehicles are required in summer and for holidays than in winter.
4. The Stations
The vehicles are parked at 95 different stations. You can use vehicles from any of these. A few of the stations have only one vehicle each. The other stations have between two and five and some up to ten vehicles available. All vehicles are accessible around the clock. Each station has:
- A key safe
- A trip report deposit box - filled out after driving
- reserved parking spaces
Stations with more than one car offer vehicles of various classes. At 24 of the stations, the vehicles are equipped with onboard computers, eliminating the need for the key safe.
5. Telephone Booking
Reservations can be made over the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The booking agents at the service center take care of all bookings, cancellations, and extensions.
You can book spontaneously or months ahead of time. The smallest time unit is one hour. When you book over the telephone please state:
- Your member number and name
- Date and time you would like to start and end your trip
- Your preferred station and the preferred size/class of vehicle needed
If the vehicle you want is reserved by another member, the booking agent will give you other options to meet your needs. At the time of booking you are given a vehicle ID number. The vehicle identification number is a combination of the three letter station code and the numerical code for the vehicle class. More detailed information is in our handbook. Internet booking has also been available since December 2002.
6. Before Your Trip
Before driving you open the key safe with your ID card and PIN, take the key and close the safe. Then you check the vehicle over for visible damage. New damage must be reported to STATTAUTO at the beginning of your trip. Before leaving, write the starting kilometers on the trip report. Special insructions for vehicles with onboard computers are in the handbook.
If a reserved vehicle is not where it should be, please be patient. The driver may merely be delayed by traffic. Call the booking service if it is more than ten minutes late. Central booking may have more information as to the whereabouts of the vehicle. If it is not possible to wait for the originally booked vehicle, you can book another for the same price or you may cancel with no cost to you. In any case you will receive a financial compensation (see the Price List) which could of course be used for a taxi ride.
7. Your Trip
Because every vehicle has a gas card, no cash is needed for refueling. It is accepted at all petrol stations with a "UTA"-sign in Germany and in other European countries. The vehicles should always be returned with at least a half tank.
Accidents must be immediately reported to STATTAUTO, who will take care of everything to do with the insurance. All vehicles are fully insured automatically with costs included in the rental price. The amount of your deductible (should you cause an accident) is also on the price list. Special cases for foreign travel are stated in the handbook.
8. After the Trip
When you have returned, the vehicle must be driven to the station where it was picked up. While filling out the trip report remember to include
- Your name and the vehicle identification number
- Date and time of start and finish with final kilometer standing
- All additional information that will be needed to calculate the final bill (expenses for fuel, cleaning costs etc.). This is in your best interest!
- Notes and comments on any new damage to the vehicle
Please place the driving report and if applicable, original receipts for expenses in the trip report box. The bill is based on this trip report. Finally, lock the vehicle in the appropriate manner and return the key to the safe for the next user.
Please be sure the vehicles are clean before returning them, especially on the inside. You too appreciate a clean car! If you need to have the inside or the outside of a vehicle cleaned, STATTAUTO will credit your account (see price list).
9. Cooperative Use
STATTAUTO members can also use vehicles belonging to cooperating car sharing programs in other cities in Germany and Switzerland in addition to its own fleet in and around the greater Munich area. Details are in the handbook.
10. Billing
Every six to eight weeks you receive a detailed bill for your trips and other expenses you may incur. The monthly fees are billed in one lump sum at the middle of the year. Members generally pay by automatic debit.