If you don't have a vehicle or hate looking for parking in the University area, there's a new way to rent a car on campus.
Zipcar, the world's largest car-sharing service, announced Monday a partnership with UNM that will give students, faculty and staff access to five vehicles available for rent 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
They can be rented for $9 per hour or $66 per day, but a $35-per-year membership is required.
Those who join in the next 90 days will get their first year's membership free.
Zipcar representatives will be outside the SUB today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Car sharing is different than rental because it requires less red tape, said Jenny Larios Berlin, general manager of Zipcar for Universities.
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"With a rent-a-car, you have to fill out paperwork and purchase insurance," she said. "Car sharing lets you get a car by the hour, and it's all-inclusive - meaning we pay for gas, insurance, maintenance and 24-hour parking spaces that are conveniently located and reserved for the vehicle."
Zipcar will provide five vehicles that can be rented at UNM and driven up to 180 miles per 24 hours.
The fleet includes three Honda hybrids, a Toyota minivan and a Mini Cooper.
The University will provide one space per
vehicle, the locations of which are yet to be decided, said Kristina Kennedy, a spokeswoman for Zipcar.
Students must be 18 become Zipcar members.
Members under 21 must have two years of driving experience and a clean driving record.
Those over 21 are allowed no more than two violations in the past three years. Members can also access Zipcar's network of more than 5,500 vehicles throughout the United Kingdom and North America.
The University partnered with Zipcar to provide another option to get on and around campus, said Cynthia Martin, program planning manager for Parking and Transportation Services.
"We really wanted to give people as many options as possible to commute to campus," Martin said. "If people are commuting to campus without their car, this might make it more appealing, because they can get access to a car during the day."
Zipcar's insurance will cover the costs of a car crash if the driver is not at fault. Otherwise, there is a $500 deductible.
Student Xinxin Wang said the program doesn't sound very convenient.
"I don't think five cars will make any difference with parking or even pollution," she said. "And $9 an hour is not so cheap. It would just be extra money for me."
