UCF launches new Zipcar service to help students save

Students without vehicles of their own now have another option of transit to add to the large variety offered at UCF.

UCF Parking and Transportation Services will be launching the Zipcar service Aug. 30 and 31.

Zipcar is a car-sharing service that allows any of its members to reserve a car for an hourly or daily rate. That rate includes gas, insurance, roadside assistance and 180 miles of transportation for the day. Zipcars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days. For UCF students, faculty and staff, the hourly rate is $8 and the daily rate is $66. There is also a $35 annual membership fee to use the Zipcar service.

There are a total of four Zipcars, two Honda Insight Hybrids and two Mazda 3s, that will be available in two locations on campus: in the B9 parking lot next to Housing Administration across Gemini Boulevard from the Academic Village and in the H4 parking lot next to the Visual Arts Building across Aquarius Agora Drive from the Lake Claire Apartments.

Kris Singh, director of Parking and Transportation Services, said they are catering to the students who live on campus who don't have cars.

"We're trying to attract the 30 percent who need to jump in the car, go get groceries, come back," Singh said. "Maybe go catch a movie or go to the beach and come back."

Some students are optimistic about the new mode of transportation while others think it is a waste of time.

Mary Smith, a sophomore pre-law student who lives off campus and takes a shuttle, is among those opposed to the idea.

"It's a good concept, but I don't think it's gonna work here," Smith said, citing the majority of students who own cars. "I'll be surprised if I hear people are actually using them."

Laci Dyer, a freshman undecided major who lives on campus without a car, said it is a welcome addition to the modes of transportation available to students already.

"If it's kind of like a teamwork thing to go grocery shopping or to the movies," Dyer said. "I would definitely use it."

Another concern among students is how much the service is costing UCF.

"[The Zipcar service] doesn't cost a penny," Singh said.

The kickoff event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 30, and Wednesday, Aug. 31, at the Recreation and Wellness Center. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days. The event will be offering giveaways for signing up for the service. Included in the giveaways is a waiving of the $35 annual membership fee for the first year.

Singh is excited about the launch and anticipates the Zipcars will be used.

"Students who actually own a vehicle will probably never use it," Singh said. "But if you own a vehicle, if you tabulate four hours at eight bucks an hour...and you calculate gas, time, wear and tear, you come out much better than using your own car."

Singh said the service would be much more valuable to a student who owns a car with a V8 engine, as the rate for the Zipcar includes gas.

In addition to signing up for the service at the kickoff event, students, faculty and staff can also register at www.zipcar.com/ucf.

If the program is successful, Singh said they would expand their Zipcar fleet to include up to 10 cars and possibly open another location close to the UCF Arena.