CARSHARE, ZIPCAR, MY CAR, YOUR CAR.

"Keeping a car in your driveway when you're concerned about global warming is like keeping cookies in your cupboard when you're trying to lose weight."
- Zipcar

Tired of waiting in line for a parking permit at Berkeley Finance Department only to be turned away for lack of some esoteric document?

Wondering how you can even pay for the gas it will take to get there to pay for a permit?

Owning a car in the east bay can often be a bigger hassle than not having one. Then again, waiting for the 51 when you already missed the 3rd snooze on your alarm doesn't always cut it.

Enter Zipcar and CityCarShare.

Both Zipcar and CityCarShare provide reliable and convenient access to on-demand transportation. Whether you need a car for a quick trip to Trader Joe's, a spur of the moment trip to Stinson Beach, or a truck to help a friend move across the Bay, cars are available around the city 24 hours/day.

With both services, you'll never have to worry about car payments, insurance, or repairs. By joining instead of owning, you're doing a good thing for the environment. Car-sharing helps reduce the total number of cars on the roads. That means less traffic, less pollution, and less dependence on oil for all of us. It also means fewer parking lots and more potential green space for the Bay Area to enjoy :)

City CarShare

http://www.citycarshare.org

City CarShare is a Bay Area nonprofit on a mission to provide convenient, affordable access to cars in an effort to reduce individual car ownership and improve the environment and quality of life in our cities.

How It Works: 3 easy steps put you in the driver's seat:

1. Find the car you want at the location that's right for you.
2. Reserve online or by phone, 24/7.
3. Pick it up and go (gas and insurance included).

When you join, you'll get an electronic key that opens any car you reserve. Once you're done, just return the car to it's original location.

Check out special plans for students, individuals and households. Also late night savings, extended freedom trips and other benefits!

ZipCar

http://www.zipcar.com/sf/find-cars

Here's the breakdown (I'm pretty sure you can follow...)

1. JOIN: Just apply online today. It only takes a few minutes and once you're approved, you get your very own zipcard.
2. RESERVE: Reserve one of hundreds of cars- for a few hours or the entire day. Do it online or over the phone.
3. UNLOCK: Walk to the car, then just hold your Zipcard up to the windshield. The doors will unlock and it's all yours.
4. DRIVE:Drive away...and return to the same reserved parking spot at the end of your reservation. It's that simple. Gas, parking and insurance included!

Zipcar offers group plans, occasional driving plans, and extra value plans to offer the best deal based on how often you will use their service.



* You must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid U.S. driver's license from any state, have a driving history of at least 2 consecutive years and meet the minimum safety specifications.*