car2go

We've had something like that for a while (2 years?) here, called Zipcar.

yeah, I remember hearing about zipcar.

I guess it didn't work out?

I can't imagine how they will make any money, what with the cost of the car, insurance, gas, upkeep and keeping it clean.

Zipcars and Hertz Connect here in NYC. If I had a place to drive them, I would consider them quite a deal. Quite inexpensive. Much cheaper and less stressful then out and out owning a car here in NYC.

Oh, they worked out. They filed for a $75 mil IPO last month.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0127443520100601

They've been operating for a decade and have posted a loss every year?

Their net loss recently widened by a couple of million $$$'s?

I guess I don't understand business then.

hmmmm....zip cars fees are less than car2go, like 1/2.

I can see where in this area it would be interesting to college students.

There are a few businesses like this in Toronto. ZipCar has a good-sized presence. I think it's a great idea for people who only need to use a car a few times a month or year. A lot cheaper than renting a car for a day/weekend if you only need it for a couple of hours for groceries or something similar.

oh yeah, no way could you afford to own a car there.

I could see being able to rent a compact car for an hour or 2 occassionally would be really helpful, to carry something big home.

But those smart cars won't hold more than a can of peas.

On a (to me anyway) related idea....

This twenty-something I work with just moved into a new apartment complex. It's a really big area, with jogging trails, gyms, etc.

They have their own downtown flier that residents can take on Friday and Saturday night to go downtown, like at 10pm, and it returns everyone at 2 or 3am.

That's good if you're planning on getting gassed.

Cool. That does sound like a convenient service for areas that don't have a reliable public transportation system.

With the local zipcar plan, you are responsible for tanking up - and cleaning the interior car if you mess it up. You'll get charged for the clean-up fees. If you pick up a dirty car, you can take it to a car wash, leave the receipt inside - and get credited for the expense.

There is a wide range of size of vehicles available locally. They place the different sizes where they are used most. If you're a member, in exchange for letting them use your driveway, you can get a use credit.

ah, that's why car2go costs more.

you don't have to put in gas.

I'm going to go through downtown on the way home, and see how many are moving.

god, my life is exciting.

Aren't you home yet? how many how many how many?

How do the practicalities work, like where are the keys? Do you sign a mini-contract online? Pay ahead? But what if you're in it for less or more time than you bargained for? What if it breaks down while you're in it, or gets stolen or smacked into while you're in a store?

That sounds like the old shuttle bus from Ft. Gordon to Augusta, GA.

Our charming little sobriquet for this vehicle was "The Vomit Comet".

jeez, I hadda kiss the old man hello and take a shower to wash off the days cares and woes.

anyway, I saw just 4 of them parked in their little cartogo spaces. I didn't see any driving around. They must have been though, since I can see by looking at the map now that locations that had a car available no longer are.


I started feeling so sad for the little 2gocars just sitting there. They looked so hopeful, like the Brave Little Toaster.

They are all white, with bright blue trim. The way they are so short, they looked like little hanukka driedels, waiting to be taken for a spin.

ode to a car2go:

gocar gocar, go go go!
it's friday nite, take me out
I'm all ready
to go about and about

don't walk by, no, don't make me cry
take me for a drive
or my wiper fluid will go dry
with the tears I will shed
don't want to go to bed
just yet

let's go up lavaca, cruise down guadalupe
turn the corner round san jacinto
to get tasty french onion soup!

gocar a go go.
go go go!

Ready, Set, Drive.It is simple to use: car2go in 5 easy steps.

1. Booking.
Pick up the car at a moment's notice or reserve in advance via internet or telephone

2. Get in.
As soon as you hold the car2go member card up to the card reader on the windshield, the vehicle opens.

3. Enter your PIN.
Get in the car and then enter your PIN.

4. Drive off.
Start the car, then simply drive to the destination of your choice. And pay per minute.

5. Park.
Once you arrive at your destination, simply park the car2go. Make sure that you do not leave it in a no-parking zone.
Or you can use one of the many car2go “Designated Park Spots” – a parking space reserved for our vehicles.

Simple and fair.car2go provides a simple and fair price structure that allows members to pay for what they use: an extremely attractive standard price of just 35 cents per minute plus tax which includes the costs of fuel1, insurance, parking, maintenance, and mileage2.

But that's not all: the more time you drive, the more economical it gets. One hour3 costs a maximum of $12.99 plus tax and one day3 no more than $65.99 plus tax. Daily rates are billed on a 24 hour clock.

And all of that with a minimal one-time registration fee of $35 plus tax – now there's a deal for you!

If you would like to know more about the fees involved or would like to know how to cancel a reservation, then the following pages will provide you with all the information you need.

Prices to go.
The following list details all of our charges and credits:

Registration Fee $35.00 plus tax
Per minute $0.35 plus tax
Per hour maximum $12.99 plus tax
Per day maximum $65.99 plus tax
Per mile after 150 mile per rental 45 cents, plus tax

Good to know.
You can drive for as long as you like and as far as you like, although every mile above 150 miles per rental will be charged at 45 cents.

Important: The car2go member is responsible for all processing costs related to damage for which he or she is responsible, extreme soiling of the car2go, driving offences, and violations of the valid terms of use.

Fuel card valid at any station accepting Wright Express . The cost of refueling the vehicle at other gas stations or in other countries will not be reimbursed. ▲
150 miles per day per rental ▲
Price per rental and per vehicle ▲

I was just looking at the operating area, and it is limited basically to downtown.
You can take the car out of the area, but your rental can't be clock back in until you are back in that area.
So, the people who had the cars parked in my neighborhood were being charged, until they drove it about, oh.... 2 miles, across the river, back into DT.

That was so beautiful!!

Tears of joy and melancholy I cry!! Your poem is so so so beautiful!!

I wondered what would keep some practical joker from driving it down to New Braunfels and leaving it there....

A go car would be Terrified in New Braunfels!

<shudder>

what funny little cars.
You wouldnt want to drive one over here