Elon University recently replaced its Zipcar car sharing service with Enterprise CarShare, a program that makes four fuel-efficient cars in the Moseley Center lot available to Elon students, faculty and staff members.
According to Elaine Durr, director of sustainability at Elon, the new program is less expensive to maintain.
“Enterprise CarShare provides lower overall vehicle rates and a local service team to maintain the vehicles,” Durr said.
Registration for the Enterprise CarShare program is online. Once the program determines someone is an eligible driver, a membership card will be sent in the mail. Cars are reserved online and accessed with the membership card. For students ages 18-20, an online parental acknowledgement form must be completed as a part of the application process.
In acknowledgement that many students don’t have access to cars, Elon first partnered with Zipcar in 2007.
“Car sharing has been a successful program at Elon with more than 500 members in August 2013,” Durr said.
According to Billy Jeffries, area sales manager for Enterprise CarShare, the program is currently processing more than 170 Elon registrations.
“All current Elon Zipcar members can join the Enterprise CarShare program for free through mid-November,” Durr said. “If they join by Sept. 22, they will receive $35 in driving credits that will not expire. After the initial year, a $35 annual student membership fee will apply.”
The annual membership fee for participants who were not Zipcar members is $35, which goes toward driving credits. After driving credits are exhausted, the rates for all participants are $8 per hour, $65 per day and $35 overnight. The fees include gas, insurance and 200 miles per day.
Freshman Jane Humphrey said she does not like Enterprise CarShare’s charge for rental extensions.
“The fines are ridiculous,” she said. “Otherwise, it’s a good, quick solution.”
Sophomore Allison Pichowicz said she stopped using the Zipcar program because of its “outrageous” prices and does not plan to join the Enterprise CarShare program.
“I didn’t have a car on campus and wanted to use it in emergencies or day trips,” she said.
This year, she said she plans to drive her own car.
In addition to student use, the Enterprise CarShare program allows faculty and staff on the university’s approved driver list to access its vehicles.
“The Enterprise CarShare program is a great option for faculty and staff who carpool or bike to campus and need to use a vehicle during the day,” Durr said. She added that faculty and staff can use the cars for short business and personal trips.
According to Durr, Enterprise CarShare continues Elon’s sustainability mission.
“Car sharing is an alternative to having your own vehicle,” she said. “The use of alternative transportation reduces carbon emissions and contributes to Elon’s goal of carbon neutrality.”