Feeling zippy? New Zipcars could change the way Mainers get around

Given the current, crazy prices for gasoline, Maine consumers are seeking ways to save on the high price of transportation, whether for work, school or recreational day trips.

In an earlier column we alluded to the new “zipcars” or “flexcars” as a way to reduce transportation costs. Flexcar and Zipcar merged last fall so they are now one happy corporate family. Thinking this service was exclusively an urban-based program for the big cities, this author was stunned to learn that Bates College in Lewiston and the University of Maine in Orono already have Zipcar programs in place on or near campus.

Why is this new transport service drawing a lot of attention? Here are some of the highlights:

A quick overview of zipcar.com will outline a wide range of services and cost savings compared to feeding the chariot in your garage, as well as how easy it is to become a member of this program. Zipcar is essentially a highly specialized car-sharing rental service. The consumer makes reservations to use the service and schedules use online or by telephone. Cars may be reserved up to a year in advance or with just a few hours’ notice. There are different rates dependent upon how much use is needed.

There are Zipcar parking lots to pick up and drop off the vehicle, usually in preferred, designated parking places close to campus, downtown areas, or close to other transportation modes, especially train stations.

This is a self-service program. The user walks up to the vehicle, swipes his “zipcard” across the windshield and the doors unlock. Hop in, drive away on your chosen mission, bring the vehicle back to the same spot, lock the doors and walk away. The car is now ready for the next user. It is that simple.

There are more than 20 different types of vehicles available – from pickup trucks to move that old upright piano to a small Morris Mini-Cooper convertible for a happy day at Sand Beach. Zipcar has more than 1,500 vehicles in 10 states and Washington, D.C., and more than 55,000 individual and business consumers. It is America’s largest car-sharing company. There is also a London branch.

Anyone more than 21 years old who is licensed and maintains a good driving record can obtain a zipcard online. What is included? The car, gasoline, insurance, car maintenance and the block of time you purchase to use the car. The plans can be for a couple of hours or a day. Buy what you need.

How much does it cost? The Web site provides a wide variety of Zipcar time options. The costs range from $7 an hour to $55 a day. It is interesting to note that driving for an hour on Interstate 95 at 60 miles an hour for a car getting 20 miles to the gallon of gas at $3.25 per gallon will cost $9.75 in gasoline alone for that hour of driving. There are free mile programs and other Zipcar benefits to help attract and maintain users and lower usage costs.

Zipcar says there are many green advantages to using the service. First, one vehicle with many users can replace up to 20 vehicles. This translates to less gas used, less pollution, less congestion on the roads and much more parking available on campus or in the cities.

Newer Zipcars pollute less than the jalopies that college students are famous for driving (or pushing). Some users of the program are reporting $5,000-a-year savings in their transportation budgets. This service translates into a tighter-knit community with a better sense of belonging, not to mention the money saved that gets spent locally.

The Zipcar phenomenon bears watching by Maine consumers. Generally, customer reviews have been strongly positive. Applications for use in the rural areas of our state would perhaps be limited, except for the benefit of Zipcar users from bigger cities driving to recreate on day trips to our wonderful rural countryside. This innovative alternative transportation program is worthy of our attention.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration, now in its 30th year, of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. Interested and motivated prospective volunteers are always needed and welcome to apply to help with our mission. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329.