New York City turns to Zipcar for fleet needs

The New York City has announced a pilot program to replace part of its vehicle fleet with hourly rental cars and vans that will be shared and used by city employees for work as needed.

Under the one-year program, 300 New York City Department of Transportation employees will share 25 vehicles provided under contract by Zipcar, a car rental company that allows hourly rentals and has been gaining popularity with urban dwellers. Like other Zipcar vehicles, the 23 hybrid cars and two vans will be housed in private garages around lower Manhattan. Employees will make their own reservations, picking up the cars and returning them to the rental location once their business is complete.

The contract calls for the cars to be used exclusively by city employees between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. weekdays. The same cars will be available to the public in evenings and weekends. 

City officials say that in addition to freeing up more parking downtown and reducing air pollution, the car-share program could save the city more than $500,000 over four years in reduced vehicle, fuel, and maintenance costs. If the program is deemed successful, it may be expanded and used by other agencies.

What about you? Could your household save money and hassles by reducing the size of your vehicle fleet and going the time-share route? Let us know what you think. And Zipcar converts, we'd like to hear from you, too.    

— Jim Travers