Students at Wichita State University have a new option for getting around the city to run errands. A car sharing company called Zipcar will begin offering rentals on campus next week.
Zipcar is already at 400 universities across North America. Here in Wichita, the company will offer two Ford Focuses that are available 24 hours a day.
Students, faculty and staff 18 or older can join for about $15 a year. Rates are $7.50 an hour or $69 a day. That includes gas and insurance up to 180 miles.
Ellen Abbey, director of Auxiliary Services for Wichita State, says making reservations and getting into the car is easy.
“When you have your membership card, you just walk up the car. It knows by the card whether or not you have the reservation. The car will unlock. The keys are in the car. We’ve got a gas card and insurance card in the car," she says.
University officials say the service will especially useful to international students, who often struggle to find reliable transportation. Abbey says the service won’t cost Wichita State a dime, and if the two cars on campus are used enough, Zipcar will add more models.
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