UA News

UA community memebers can now rent cars by the hour and pick them up on campus.

The University of Arizona's car-sharing program is officially in gear.

The program, launched Friday, allows members of the campus community and greater Tucson community to rent vehicles by the hour as part of an effort to promote alternative transportation.

The program, offered through a partnership between the UA's Parking & Transportation Services and the Hertz global car-sharing club, lets UA students, employees and Tucson residents rent cars for $8 an hour, for a maximum of 180 miles per day.

Ten rental cars – seven Toyota Prius hybrids, two Ford Escape sport utility vehicles and a MINI Cooper – are parked around campus. Three are in Tyndall Garage, one is in the Sixth Street Garage, two are on Highland Avenue north of Fourth Street and two are on Olive Road at Second Street.

One of each style of car was on display on the bustling UA Mall on Tuesday, where representatives from PTS and Hertz set up to introduce the program to students returning to campus this week.

Since the program got rolling on Friday, there already have been six rentals, said Bill Davidson, PTS marketing manager.

Enrollment in the program is free, with Hertz waiving the first-year membership and application fee. Members can sign up on the Connect by Hertz Web site, using one of the following promotional codes: 

• Students: 1358747
• Employees: 1858748
• Tucson residents: 1858749

After registering for the program, members are mailed an access card and are able to reserve rental cars online for as long as needed. Once an online reservation is made, the renter can go to campus to access their assigned vehicle, with the keys inside, using a security code in the card's smart chip.

About 190 people have enrolled so far, Davidson said.

After residents in University-area neighborhoods expressed an interest in the program, it was made available to all Tucsonans as well, Davidson said.

Car-sharing programs have gained popularity nationwide as part of a movement to encourage alternative modes of transportation and reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road, which have been goals for PTS.

With the new car-sharing program in place, UA students and employees are encouraged to walk, bike or use public transit to get to campus instead of driving their own vehicles and take advantage of easy access to the low-cost UA rentals for any necessary car trips.

It's estimated that each car in the program eliminates up to 14 personal vehicles on the road. "It helps the environment," Davidson said.

Renters must be 18 years old or older and those ages 18 to 21 must have been driving for at least one year and have a clean driving record.

For those who don't have access to reliable transportation, the program is a welcome addition.

"I'm from out of town, from Chicago, and I don't have a car and I live in a dorm," said freshman Lindsey Lachner, who plans to sign up for the program and split the cost of rentals with friends. It's nice to have access to a car, she said, "if I need to make weekend Target runs or go to Costco." 

Kacy Peckenpaugh, a graduate student who first learned of the program Tuesday, said she plans to spread the word to international students in her study area, many of whom don't have their own cars.

She's also considering renting a vehicle for personal trips, like weekend jaunts to Mount Lemmon, which her personal car is not reliable enough to make.

The car-sharing program provides all support for the rental vehicles, including maintenance, insurance, gas, cleaning and repairs.

Lo Que Pasa announced this program in a July 29 article, Car-Sharing Program Coming to UA.