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Car-sharing program launches on campus, competes with SU's option
By Bethany Bump
Posted: 11/12/08, 11:44 PM EST Section: News
Anna Conrad weighed her options.
Conrad, a junior environmental biology major at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, examined the two car-sharing options on campus - Zipcar and CuseCar. She chose to use the less expensive one.
"I looked into Zipcar, as well as compared the prices of the two. And if I had to choose, I would get the Zipcar," Conrad said. "It's less expensive, and since I'm on a budget like all college students are, I wouldn't get the CuseCar."
CuseCar, a community car-sharing program, is now available to
ESF students, faculty and staff members. It is not available to the Syracuse University community. Car-sharing programs are considered helpful because they give members the convenience of vehicle renting without the actual need to own a vehicle, according to the CuseCar Web site.
Users would pay an annual fee of $100 for a CuseCar membership, as well as a sign-up fee of $40. Members get the opportunity to drive an environmentally friendly Toyota Prius Hybrid or Honda Civic. The hourly usage rate is $12 per hour.
The program is similar to Zipcar, a national car-sharing program recently adopted by SU. Zipcar is offered to members of the university community, including ESF students. Its annual fee is $35 with no sign-up fee. The daily rate is $65 and the hourly rate is $9 per hour.
Michael Kelleher, director of renewable energy systems at ESF, said the new program has been in the works for a while. He said the program's goal is to reduce vehicle miles and carbon emissions through a more efficient transportation system.
"We think our transportation energy use is one of the major uses of energy by our campus," Kelleher said. "That's part of what we're trying to curb with this initiative."
SU and ESF completed the Commuter Challenge, an event that encouraged faculty, staff and off-campus students to explore alternative ways of getting to campus, on Oct. 31. With the implementation of car-sharing programs on campus, Kelleher said, the campus community is working to help the
Conrad, a junior environmental biology major at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, examined the two car-sharing options on campus - Zipcar and CuseCar. She chose to use the less expensive one.
"I looked into Zipcar, as well as compared the prices of the two. And if I had to choose, I would get the Zipcar," Conrad said. "It's less expensive, and since I'm on a budget like all college students are, I wouldn't get the CuseCar."
CuseCar, a community car-sharing program, is now available to
ESF students, faculty and staff members. It is not available to the Syracuse University community. Car-sharing programs are considered helpful because they give members the convenience of vehicle renting without the actual need to own a vehicle, according to the CuseCar Web site.
Users would pay an annual fee of $100 for a CuseCar membership, as well as a sign-up fee of $40. Members get the opportunity to drive an environmentally friendly Toyota Prius Hybrid or Honda Civic. The hourly usage rate is $12 per hour.
The program is similar to Zipcar, a national car-sharing program recently adopted by SU. Zipcar is offered to members of the university community, including ESF students. Its annual fee is $35 with no sign-up fee. The daily rate is $65 and the hourly rate is $9 per hour.
Michael Kelleher, director of renewable energy systems at ESF, said the new program has been in the works for a while. He said the program's goal is to reduce vehicle miles and carbon emissions through a more efficient transportation system.
"We think our transportation energy use is one of the major uses of energy by our campus," Kelleher said. "That's part of what we're trying to curb with this initiative."
SU and ESF completed the Commuter Challenge, an event that encouraged faculty, staff and off-campus students to explore alternative ways of getting to campus, on Oct. 31. With the implementation of car-sharing programs on campus, Kelleher said, the campus community is working to help the
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kyle
posted 2/11/09 @ 1:35 PM EST
Just to set the record straight, the rate for CuseCar has since dropped to $50 per year for students, which includes the sign-up fee.
CuseCar also has locations downtown, in the Hawley-Green neighborhood, and is planning to place a car in the Westcott area. (Continued…)
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