10/06/2015
Soon, yellow community bicycles won’t be the only affordable, environmentally friendly transportation available at SUNY Cortland’s Student Life Center.
Zipcar, a popular car-sharing service, will begin offering students a convenient alternative to keeping a vehicle on campus by the end of October.
Registered SUNY Cortland Zipcar users will have access to two cars parked near the Student Life Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service costs $15 a year for annual membership plus student-discounted hourly or daily rates. Gas, insurance and maintenance are included in those charges.
“This is a creative way for our students to access cars without having to worry about parking or any of the extra costs that come with ownership,” said SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum. “Any alternative that can reduce parking needs and help shrink our carbon footprint is worth exploring.”
Zipcar’s presence on other college and university campuses has resulted in a drop in congestion and parking demand, and therefore a reduction in car emissions. The car sharing service marks SUNY Cortland’s latest “green” effort to manage resources effectively and protect the environment. Earlier this year, the College was named one of the greenest colleges in the U.S. by BestColleges.com. It was the only campus in the State University of New York system on the list.
One Zipcar has the ability to take approximately 15 personally owned cars off the road, according to the company’s studies. And in terms of cost, Zipcar members pay only for the time they use a car, which can save up to 70 percent of a student’s total transportation costs.
Members must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license. They will be able to reserve a Zipcar online or from their smartphone for as little as an hour and up to seven days, with a driving limit of 180 miles per day.
Details on how to register for Zipcar, make a reservation and gain entry into a car will be provided when the service launches later this month.