Another fleet-based car-sharing service is shutting down in Seattle.
AAA’s Gig Car Share emailed customers Wednesday notifying them that the service will end Dec. 27.
“Since launching Gig Car Share, we have continuously evolved our offerings based on Member feedback and demand,” the email reads. “Despite our best efforts, there have been challenges — primarily around decreased demand, rising operational costs, and changes to consumer commuting patterns.”
A spokesperson reiterated that message in response to an inquiry from GeekWire, and added: “We are grateful to our members and city partners for their support.” They also confirmed that the company will cease operations by the year’s end, shutting down its service in San Francisco as well. Gig shut down in Sacramento last year.
Gig launched in Seattle in 2020 just after the onset of the pandemic with 250 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles available to rent on an minute, hourly or daily basis. The fleet later expanded to 400 cars.
Customers use an app to locate and unlock vehicles. Trips could be made anywhere and parking was free, thanks to a deal with the City of Seattle. Gig covered gas and insurance. Vehicles just needed to be returned within a “HomeZone.”
Gig charges $0.60/minute and $19.99/hour ($24.99 on weekends). Daily rates are $120.
Gig also offered an airport parking zone near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
GeekWire reviewed Gig in 2020 and came away impressed with both the vehicle and the app experience.
But after four years, Gig is joining a growing list of car-sharing services that couldn’t make it work in Seattle.
Seattle was once a hotbed of free-floating car-sharing services, with BMW ReachNow, Lime, and Car2go operating their own fleets. But all three shut down after struggling to build a profitable business.
Zipcar, which uses designated parking areas where cars must be returned, is still around in Seattle. Other car-sharing startups such as Turo and Getaround offer peer-to-peer car rental options — which don’t require companies to manage vehicle fleets and the associated maintenance and operational costs.
Users on Reddit lamented the shutdown. Some said they used Gig for shopping trips to Costco or to make similar quick trips around the city. Others noted how Gig was cheaper than Uber or Lyft.
Lime and Bird operate shared e-bikes and e-scooter fleets in Seattle as part of the City’s Scooter and Bike Share program, run by the Seattle Department of Transportation.
AAA’s innovation lab A3Ventures launched Gig in the Bay Area in 2017.
Editor’s note: Story updated at 8:35 a.m. July 25 to add comments from a Gig Car Share spokesperson, including confirmation that company will cease operations.