BOISE -- Boise State is launching a new car-sharing partnership with Zipcar Inc., to provide the campus with an environmentally friendly and cost-effective transportation option.
Four hybrid cars are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all students, faculty and staff members ages 18 and up and to community members 21 years and older.
Approved drivers affiliated with Boise State pay a $35 annual fee to join Zipcar. Community members are charged a $50 annual fee. Zipcar says members can rent cars by the hour or for up to four days at a time. The rates are $8 an hour or $66 a day, Monday through Friday. Weekend fees are $9 an hour or $72 a day. Zipcar says there is a limit of 180 miles per 24 hours. After that, overage fees are charged.
Once members are approved they are given a card key to unlock the car's door. The keys are kept tethered inside the car's dashboard. Gas is included in the fees. A gas card is kept inside if the driver needs to refill. Zipcar says comprehensive insurance is also included in the fees.
When a member wants to use one of the cars, they make a reservation online or on their mobile phones. The hybrid cars are parked on the BSU campus. Drivers return the cars to the same location.
"We have text message reminders and will send you a note saying your reservation is almost up. And if there's nobody after your reservation we actually give you the option to extend your reservation right there from your mobile phone," said Tricia Capello, a Zipcar representative.
Zipcar offers car-sharing programs in 14 cities and more than 100 universities in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Members can rent cars in any participating city or university.
"It's been extremely successful and we've found it works especially well where students don't always have the availability to bring a car with them to school," said Capello.
Casey Jones, Director of Transportation and Parking Services at Boise State says the campus wants to offer services, programs, and accommodations that limit the impact on the environment. Jones says the car-sharing program will also help alleviate parking problems.
"We recognize that the supply of parking on campus is shrinking because we're constructing buildings. This fits really well for those short trips, those errands and students can use those other modes -- walking, biking and the bus -- for the rest of the time they're on campus," said Jones.
Boise State senior Kelly Antonczak says lack of parking on campus may be one reason why she joins Zipcar.
"I actually think that's interesting and might be why I might even use one one time even though I have a car because I'm refusing to buy a parking pass this semester for the first time because it's expensive. And even if you buy a pass it's hard to park here," said Antonczak.
Zipcar says the cars are monitored, cleaned and serviced regularly. And 24-hour roadside assistance is available, as well as a 24-hour call center if a member is having difficulty accessing their reservation or a car.
Four hybrid cars are now offered at Boise State. Zipcar says at the car-sharing program gains in popularity, they will add more cars to the fleet.
For more information about Zipcar at Boise State University, including how to join, visit: www.zipcar.com/boisestate.
