So reading MiddBlog today, I learned that at both Middlebury and Amherst they now have this crazy Zipcar thing which I had heard of in cities but not at colleges. As Ryan explains:
ZipCar provides easily rentable cars at cheap-ish rates on-campus. Essentially, you join their network, you reserve a car online, you pick up the car at a specified location, and drive. ZipCar has been particularly successful in big cities where people don’t want to own a car but want to have the convenience of having a car available should they need it. For universities, the premise is the same. Add in some “green” benefits, convenience and presto, you’ve got a popular thing going.
Amherst College led the way on this with two ZipCars last year. Over there, they rent for $7 an hour or $55 a day. At Middlebury, we rent for $8 an hour or $60 a day.
How cool! Maybe Zipcar will come to Wes!
uhh, zipcar’s insurance policy is highly questionable… and liability insurance is one of those things that’s kind of important.
uhh, zipcar’s insurance policy is highly questionable… and liability insurance is one of those things that’s kind of important.
it’s expensive considering the toyota dealer in middletown rents car for only 30-35 per day, but you need to be 21 to rent.. but i agree, this zipcar thing is great if you only need to rent for a couple of hours.
it’s expensive considering the toyota dealer in middletown rents car for only 30-35 per day, but you need to be 21 to rent.. but i agree, this zipcar thing is great if you only need to rent for a couple of hours.
another difference is that gas, insurance etc is paid for and there is no under 25 penalty. i actually think that you do have to pay an annual amount to join, but that might be waived if the university joins.
another difference is that gas, insurance etc is paid for and there is no under 25 penalty. i actually think that you do have to pay an annual amount to join, but that might be waived if the university joins.
to the anonymous from 3:04pm – it is different b/c in other rental agencies, renting cars is $$ PER DAY. you also need to go to the agency, fill out paperwork etc etc. with zipcar, you sign up for the service (no $). then, if you need a car for an hour or two (to go to the train or maybe new haven or a few hours), you can just go online, walk to the car which is already on campus and go…only paying for the hour or so that you use it. it’s parked very close, and you can use it any time. trust me, it’s a fantastic service.um, disclaimer: i don’t work for them, nor have i used it before. i just find it cool!
to the anonymous from 3:04pm – it is different b/c in other rental agencies, renting cars is $$ PER DAY. you also need to go to the agency, fill out paperwork etc etc. with zipcar, you sign up for the service (no $). then, if you need a car for an hour or two (to go to the train or maybe new haven or a few hours), you can just go online, walk to the car which is already on campus and go…only paying for the hour or so that you use it. it’s parked very close, and you can use it any time. trust me, it’s a fantastic service.
um, disclaimer: i don’t work for them, nor have i used it before. i just find it cool!
this would be amazing
this would be amazing
Also, this sounds hella expensive.
Also, this sounds hella expensive.
I don’t get it. How does this differ from any other car rental agency?
I don’t get it. How does this differ from any other car rental agency?
i did some research on zipcar at the end of last year but then i y’know graduated and whatnot so never followed through, but if its something ppl would be interested in having on campus i say bring it to the wsa (you can just email them)
i did some research on zipcar at the end of last year but then i y’know graduated and whatnot so never followed through, but if its something ppl would be interested in having on campus i say bring it to the wsa (you can just email them)
Is it just me or does two cars for an entire campus seem insignificant? Not that it wouldn’t be better than nothing, but still…
Is it just me or does two cars for an entire campus seem insignificant? Not that it wouldn’t be better than nothing, but still…
They have it at Haverford, too.
They have it at Haverford, too.
They’ve had ZipCar at Wellesley for at least a couple years now. They’ve been wildly popular/successful, or so I’ve heard. Maybe we could use that as an argument toward coming here (similar awhile-outside-a-big-city location)
They’ve had ZipCar at Wellesley for at least a couple years now. They’ve been wildly popular/successful, or so I’ve heard. Maybe we could use that as an argument toward coming here (similar awhile-outside-a-big-city location)