The Sophian

Issue date: 9/5/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Schuyler Clemente A curious student peers in the window of the Toyota Matrix Zipcar parked on Neilson Drive.

What's the newest way to zip around the Five College area? This year, Smith students will be zooming around Massachusetts in rented Zipcars.

President Carol Christ recently invited Zipcar to offer two of their vehicles to Smith students after hearing about the popularity of the cars at other college campuses such as University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Georgetown and Princeton, as well as several colleges in the Boston area. Smith students, faculty, staff and area residents can sign up for Zipcards, which allow the drivers to rent Zipcars for $7 an hour or $55 a day. Insurance and gas are included in the cost.

Christ hopes that, thanks to Zipcars, Smith students will leave their own cars at home. She is excited about Smith students driving Zipcars.

"Zipcars provide an economical alternative to bringing a car to school," Christ said. "They are perfect for short local trips - to the mall, to a social event, to one of the other Five Colleges."

Many believe Zipcars are environment-friendly, and Zipcar claims it reduces pollution given that every Zipcar replaces 20 privately owned vehicles.

Christ said Northampton Mayor Clare Higgins was excited about having Zipcars at Smith. SGA President Megan Ambrus '07 also said she thinks Zipcars are a great idea.

"The Zipcars will provide a convenient form of transportation to students who may not have had access to a car in the past," said Ambrus. She believes Smith students will take full advantage of them. "I have overheard several conversations with people expressing excitement about the arrival of the Zipcars - especially because Wellesley has apparently had these cars for several years."

A Toyota Matrix and a Honda Civic - Smith's Zipcars - are ready to roll. They are currently parked on campus, but after a few weeks, they will be waiting for Smith students in the college parking garage on West Street.

To rent a Zipcar, students can sign up online at www.zipcar.com. Applicants must have had their licenses for at least one year and must have a clean record, meaning no major violations, no alcohol violations and no more than two minor violations or accidents in the past three years. For the occasional driving plan, Zipcar charges a $25 application fee and a $50 annual fee. Once one Smith student opens an account, other students can join at a reduced cost: a $25 application fee and a $25 annual fee per student.

UMass and Amherst are also expected to offer Zipcars soon.

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