"With Zipcar and car sharing we are able to address two key priorities at once," Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said in a statement. "We offer our citizens a new way to save money without sacrificing mobility, and also address the challenges of reducing congestion, parking demand and carbon emissions. Car sharing is a smart policy choice that benefits everyone involved."
As usual, Zipcar offers its vehicles by the hour or by the day, but only to members. The reservation for a Zipcar can be made by phone or online. Prices for sharing a Zipcar vary from $7 per hour to $66 per day, depending on the car chosen by the customer.
As for congestion-solving Zipcars, the city based its decision on studies which have shown that one shared vehicle takes 15 other cars off the roads. According to Zipcar, thanks to the service they provide, some individuals even chose to sell their cars after discovering this new way of motoring.
"The traditional 'car-centric' design of cities is beginning to give way to a more 'people-centric' design, and Zipcar is big part of that dynamic," said Mark Norman, Zipcar president added. "Zipcar is a smart choice for consumers looking for affordable alternatives to car ownership, and a smart policy choice for governments dealing with the pressing issues of congestion, parking and their carbon footprint."
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