Flexcar adds new vehicle options

Many students at Tech do not own or have access to a car on campus, which narrows their options for transportation off campus. Others complain about the traffic congestion in Atlanta or the hassle of finding a parking space.

Fortunately, Tech's Parking and Transportation Department has come up with a unique solution to make getting around easier and more convenient for students.

This alternative is Flexcar, a system that allows students, faculty and staff to essentially "share" cars that are parked around campus by becoming members and reserving a car online or by phone.

There are currently four cars on campus, and each is parked in a different area. After applying for and obtaining membership to the program, a student can reserve a car, drive it and return it to the same parking spot.

Students can rent a car for $9 an hour or $63 per day if they pay an application fee of $35 and an annual membership fee of $40.

The hourly rate covers gas, insurance, unlimited mileage, maintenance, reserved Flexcar parking space and 24-hour customer service.

"We are very excited about the program," said Cheryl Smith, program coordinator of Parking and Transportation Services.

According to Assistant Director of Transportation David Williamson, Flexcar will give students another option, adding to Tech's existing campus transportation system, which includes Stinger shuttles and iconic trolleys.

Right now, four different types of standard sedans are available on campus, while more cars are located in the midtown and downtown areas. Flexcars on campus are located at the Graduate Living Center, the Student Center, Barnes and Noble in Tech Square and the parking lot at the corner of Ferst Drive and State Street.

The program is relatively new, but so far feedback has been encouraging.

"All of the feedback we have received from the members who have tried the program has been positive," Smith said.

"Flexcar sounds like a convenient option for students who don't own cars but need to get off campus. It's nice to know it's available if I ever need to use it," said Deidre Town, a first-year Management major.

According to Williamson, the program has not been around long enough for Tech to identify and fix any potential problems. It is too early to tell whether or not the system will be popular among students.

The Flexcar program has one key advantage over other transportation choices. Most car rental companies require that customers be at least 25 years of age. With Flexcar, students can rent cars when they are 18 years old, if they obtain approval from their parents or guardians and make a security deposit of $250.

Also, the cars are located in various places on campus, so students have the cars available to them right away, without having to get a ride to a car rental store. Additionally, Flexcar's rate-based payment system may appeal to the budget-minded college student.

"With Flexcar, you are paying for the car by the hour instead of for the whole day," Williamson said.

Still, the service may be too pricey for some. However, convenience and necessity outweigh cost in some cases.

"It's a little bit out of my price range, but there are some things MARTA does not work for, like taking a girl out on a date," said Marcus Yoder, a first-year Undeclared Engineering major.

In the end, Flexcar provides a possible alternative to the mounting costs of car ownership and the stress of public transportation. It can also be helpful in reducing infamous Atlanta traffic. As Williamson puts it, the program will help get cars off the road.

Other benefits of car-sharing include reductions in the number of private vehicles, lower emissions and more parking spaces.

Students can visit www.flexcar.com/gt for more information.