SALT LAKE CITY -- A new way to get around town launched Monday and is expected to bring convenience as well as cleaner air to the Wasatch Front.
Salt Lake City resident Malcom McCloud recently reduced his family’s carbon footprint by selling his car. He said there are so many options for public transportation that the transition was easy.
“It’s a combination of walking, riding a bicycle and my wife uses the car so the odd times when I need a car I will pinch-hit with the car share,” McCloud said.
Salt Lake City has partnered with Utah Transit Authority, Enterprise Rental Car, the University of Utah and Utah Valley University to make the car share program more accessible and affordable for residents from Salt Lake City to Provo.
“It gives people more options for ways to get around without owning a car or driving as much,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.
Rental cars are used to get to participating commuting locations, officials said. Cars are returned to the spot where they are rented and a membership card locks the doors and completes the rental process.
Reservations are made online or on a smart phone. A membership card works as a censor key to unlock the car door.
“We call it the last mile so if you take transit you get to your final destination and it's a little too far to walk you're certainly welcome to be using car sharing where you are able to use cars for a short period of time,” said Michael Allegra with UTA.
There are several different models of vehicles available for rent. Models include hybrid electric cars, SUVs or trucks.
“I have all the paperwork here and I will proceed with the signing up so I can use it every so often,” McCloud said.
Prices start at $5 per hour. For more information visit http://www.enterprisecarshare.com.
