Station-Based Car Sharing in Nitra, Slovakia — ShareCar’s Offer

ShareCar was a carsharing service that operated in the city of Nitra, Slovakia, positioning itself as a fast, affordable, and convenient way to get around town. The company aimed to reduce the number of private cars and ease the parking shortage by offering access to vehicles stationed at fixed locations throughout the city.

At the time of writing this article, the service had ceased operations.

Fleet

ShareCar’s fleet consisted of two models — Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Ignis — compact gasoline hatchbacks with 1.2-liter engines, seating up to four passengers. In addition to cars, the service also offered bicycle rentals, expanding mobility options within the city.

Pricing and Booking

Car Sharing Plans with Monthly Subscription

You could sign up for a monthly subscription plan — a fixed fee that reduced the hourly and per-kilometer rates. The higher the subscription fee, the lower the cost per hour and per kilometer. In other words, you’d pay a monthly fee and, in return, enjoy discounted rates.

Car Sharing Rates without a Subscription

If you didn’t purchase a monthly subscription, you’d pay the base rates, which were higher than the subscription rates:

• Hourly rental — €2.50/hour
• Per-kilometer rate — €0.36/km
• Maximum daily rate — €29.90

If you used carsharing often, a subscription plan was the better deal. For occasional use, the base rates worked just fine.

Switching from Hourly to Daily Rates

If you rented a car for more than 12 hours, a special rule applied: usage over 13 hours but no more than 24 hours would be billed as a full day, at a flat rate of €32.50/day.

Payment in Nitra’s Carsharing

Payments were made after each completed booking.

Registration and Deposit in Slovakia

First, you had to register — after that, you’d receive a chip card, which could be picked up in person or delivered by mail.

The chip card acted as your key: tap it to the car door to unlock and start your rental, then tap it again at the end of the trip to lock and close it.

• Refundable deposit for Slovak residents — €150
• For non-residents — €300

Payments could be made in cash, via bank transfer, or by credit/debit card.

The first chip card was provided free of charge; a replacement or additional card cost €4.

Pickup and Return Locations, Service Area

ShareCar followed a station-based model:

• Cars could only be picked up and returned at designated stations within Nitra.
• Parking or ending a rental outside of these stations was prohibited.

Returning a car outside the station area could result in fines and account suspension.

Insurance and Liability

• Standard insurance with a 20% deductible of the total damage cost, minimum €165.
• Additional insurance reduced the deductible to 5% of the damage cost, minimum €165.
• Maximum liability was capped at 10% of the vehicle’s value.

Fines Applied by the Service

• Late return after the booking ended — €10 for every started hour.
• Returning the car outside a station — €10.
• Returning the car dirty — €30.
• Smoking in the car — €100.

Other Payment Conditions

Payment was required after each trip. A new booking couldn’t be started until the previous one was paid.

ShareCar Analysis

ShareCar was a local carsharing service in Nitra that operated on a station-based model. You could pick up a car at one station and return it only to one of the official parking stations within the city. This setup worked well for people who preferred fixed pickup and drop-off points and appreciated organized parking.

The company offered two models tailored for everyday city driving. There was also an option to have a car delivered to Bratislava, which expanded its usability beyond the main service area.

Key Features of Carsharing in Nitra

• Service Area. ShareCar operated exclusively within Nitra — a deliberate choice. It was designed with local residents in mind, offering quick and easy city travel. Outside the city limits, cars were unavailable, so longer trips required alternative arrangements.
• Fleet. Customers could choose between just two models — the Suzuki Swift and Suzuki Ignis. The selection was small but straightforward: both cars were compact, fuel-efficient, and easy to maintain, ideal for navigating city streets.
• Rental Conditions. Visitors to the city had to pay a €300 deposit to rent a car, while Slovak residents paid €150. This policy is common among local operators and helps reduce business risks.
• Extra Options. To make trips more convenient, customers could request child seats, bicycle racks, or rooftop cargo boxes. These extras made the service versatile, suitable for family outings, nature trips, or active leisure.

App Store Ratings

General Observations on Nitra’s Car Sharing

ShareCar was an example of a city-focused service built on simplicity and a local approach. It was particularly convenient for residents who wanted to use a car without having to return it to the exact same station. The option to deliver cars to Bratislava showed an effort to meet the needs of a wider audience.

At the same time, several technical and operational factors could be interpreted as signs of suspension or a shift in business priorities. As of now, there are no signs of active operation — no app updates, no service access, and no official communication.