To help alleviate the costs of private car ownership, North America’s largest car sharing company called Zipcar, has created partnerships with universities. According to a press release, Zipcar members have saved on average $436 a month or $5,232 a year by using a Zipcar in lieu of car ownership.
A Zipcar partnership was formed with UMass Boston in 2005, which allows students, staff and faculty to get a membership for only $25 a year. There are no application fees, monthly minimums and no membership deposits, and those looking to sign up have to be at least 21.
In the press release, it says during the program year 2005-2006, UMass Boston and local taxpayers saved approximately $200,000 by the implementation of the Zipcar program.
Unlike regular rental car companies, for drivers under 25 there are no extra fees or service charges. Cars can be rented by the hour or by the day, and Zipcar offers such cars as Mini Coopers, Volkswagens and hybrids. The cost of rental includes gas, parking, insurance and XM Satellite Radio.
Automated access is given to all members by way of a “Zipcard,” which unlocks the door to any Zipcar in North America. Cars can be reserved either online or by phone minutes before pick up or up to a year in advance.
“Students, faculty and staff [will] enjoy self-service access to Zipcars parked on or near campus, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” the press release said. “At many Zipcar schools, the vehicles are also available to local residents and businesses and the existing network of more than 70,000 Zipcar members.”
Zipcar has continued to grow, recently forming partnerships with Amherst College, Golden Gate University, San Francisco State University, Smith College, University of Chicago, University of Rochester and University of Toronto. These seven colleges have joined the 26 other campuses that have programs with Zipcars, including MIT, Boston College, Harvard and Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
For more information, visit www.zipcar.com and to sign up with the UMass Boston network, visit www.zipcar.com/umassboston .