Got Gas?

The rule of thumb here at I-GO is that if the gas tank reaches a quarter (or below) while you’re out and about, you will need to stop and refuel the vehicle before returning it. We cover the cost of gas. You just need to put it in!

Each vehicle is equipped with a fuel card, which can be found in the keypad device in the glove box. When you swipe the gas card at the pump, you will be asked to enter two numbers: (1) the odometer and (2) the Driver ID (which is not your member number). The odometer reading can be found on the dash board of the car. The Driver ID will appear on the keypad screen when you remove the gas card. In order to make sure that it does show up on the screen, follow these simple steps:

1. Make sure the car is on
2. Turn off the vehicle, but keep the key in the ignition
3. Take the gas card out of the keypad (in glove box)
4. The Driver ID will appear on the keypad screen

If, after pulling the gas card out of the keypad, the screen stays blank or displays “1234”– call our office (773.278.4446) and we can both provide you with the Driver ID and also reprogram the keypad so that the problem does not occur again. Happy Driving!

Save some green at these I-GO Chi-Town Rewards businesses!

Are you taking full advantage of our Chi Town Rewards program? All you have to do is flash your I-GO card at participating businesses and you’ll receive a discount simply for being an I-GO member! We added 3 new Chi-Town Rewards businesses this month:

Green Dream Group
www.greendreamgroup.com
OFFER: 15% off home energy audit

*Home Energy Audits increase comfort and resale value, lower utility costs, and preserve the environment. Services: Blower Door, Infrared Thermographics, Utility Analysis, Energy Star Homes.

Lake Claremont Press
www.lakeclaremont.com
OFFER: Buy 2 books, get 1 free; buy 4 books, get 2 free; buy 5 books, get 3 free.

*A locally-owned publisher, specializing in books about Chicago and Chicago history, by Chicago authors with a passion and Chicago organizations with a mission.

Lillstreet Art Center
www.lillstreet.com
OFFER: 10% off class registration fees & gallery purchases

*A largy community of artists, open to all ages and skill levels. Lillstreet features 19 classrooms, over 50 studios, a gallery, story, cafe and more!

Check out the full list of participating businesses here.

I-GO/CTA buzz

Word is out about I-GO’s collaboration with CTA – here’s some coverage around the internet:

• MSNBC.com
• Contactless News
• CBS 2
• Progressive Railroading
• Yo Chicago (plus bonus classic YouTube interview with I-GO Business Development Manager Richard Kosmacher!)

CTA and I-GO team up

Hey everybody! Big news – today folks can sign up for the brand new Chicago Card Plus/I-GO Card. This card can be used to ride CTA trains and buses, Pace buses, and of course, I-GO cars. Not only does this make it easier for people to manage their transportation costs, but it is a recognition of car sharing as an extension of a sustainable transportation system.

Last minute shopping with I-GO!

Are you a last minute holiday shopper? Get in line.

But seriously, one of the easiest and most practical, yet unique and green gifts you can give this holiday season is an I-GO gift certificate for I-GO Car Sharing driving credits. Friends and family will love a gift of $25, $50, $75 or whatever you can spend, so they can get where they need to go in the New Year.

So stop procrastinating, and get those I-GO driving credits today!

CTA Charges Ahead in Cashless Transit

The front page of today’s Chicago Tribune featured an article on the CTA’s quest to combine their transit cards with riders’ credit cards. The CTA wants to offer riders the option to use their credit or debit cards on buses and trains in the near future; they plan to start soliciting bids from the major credit card companies in early 2009. According to CTA President Ron Huberman, they “believe this is where the market is heading, and we don’t want to be chasing it. We want to be leading it.”

What wasn’t mentioned in today’s article was the fact that I-GO is a part of these changes going on at the CTA. As we’ve previously mentioned, the CTA and I-GO will begin offering one card for both your CTA and I-GO use. This pilot program is set to roll out in late December. If you’re interested in being contacted when the program starts, click here to provide us with your contact info.

The vote yesterday? Rocked it.

Some big news, apparently – America picked a new president, a rather popular guy from Chicago, in fact. There was some party or something in over in Grant Park.

Kidding aside, among the many bits of historic and exciting news that came out of our TVs and computers last night was that first time voters were a huge factor in the outcome, especially the young and elderly.

A few of these folks from the South Side got to the polls in I-GO cars.

I-GO partnered with Rock The Vote and K.L.E.O. Community Center to help people vote and threw a “Party at the Polls” featuring performances by Robert Jones, The Youth for Christ, and the insanely talented Jessie White Tumblers, who would make terrific ninjas if anyone is hiring:

These guys rocked the vote – how did you?

I-GO Membership Drive: Edgewater

I-GO Membership Drive
Tues., Oct. 28, 5-7pm
6301 N. Sheridan Rd.

Hello, Edgewater! We recently added a new car at 6301 N. Sheridan Rd. (vehicle I.D. #4404), and I-GO staff will be there to answer all your questions about our service and to sign you up! Come for the membership sign-up discount (just $25 – a savings of $50 off the standard rate!), stay for the wine and cheese. Get a friend or family member to join, and we’ll give you $20 worth of driving credits!

Vehicle Relocations

This week we relocated 2 I-GO vehicles.

Car #4511 (Blue Toyota Prius)
Old Location: 2136 W Damen Ave
New Location: 2154 W Wabansia

View Larger Map

Car #4500 (Silver Honda Civic)
Old Location: 1953-55 W Leland
New Location: 3200 N Lake Shore Dr.

View Larger Map

CTA and I-GO to Partner on Combined Chicago Card Plus and I-GO Smartcard

I-GO Car Sharing and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced today the launch of a joint smart card program that will allow individuals to use one card for both riding the CTA and accessing I-GO vehicles. There are currently 10 CTA locations with I-GO vehicles and plans to add 8 more. I-GO has 200 cars in 32 Chicago neighborhoods. The combined smart card program is expected to launch by the end of the year.