Car sharing services for students have been popping up on the DU campus with increasing frequency, insistently attempting to lure students in with promises of incredible deals, convenient transportation and environmental friendliness. It can get a bit overwhelming to figure out if something is worth the time, so here’s a brief guide to three of Denver’s car sharing companies that are available to students.

Enterprise CarShare

Enterprise CarShare has an online reservation system which, available via phone, tablet or computer, provides a list of available rental times and car locations where the vehicle is available to picked up and returned to. According to Gregory Phillips, Brand Publicity Manager, the service solves the age restrictions that many students face with typical car rentals.
“We see students gravitate to it,” said Phillips. “It’s great for people who want to just go for a shopping trip or take a day out in the city.”

According to Phillips, the on-campus promotions are part of an effort to answer questions that students have and provide general information about the ever-growing arena of car sharing.
“The awareness for car sharing has increased nationally,” said Phillips. “And we have access to newer, cleaner vehicles. We can update our fleet quickly based on consumer demand.”

Fuel is free for up to 200 miles, and the car includes a prepaid fuel card to be used for refilling fuel; a majority of the vehicles are fuel-efficient, boasting at least 28 to 32 mpg, according to the company’s website. Phillips said that he sees car sharing services as a more cost-efficient and sustainable option for students as opposed to owning a car.

Insurance is included as well, and international driver’s licenses are accepted. For DU students, the application fee is waived and the first year’s $35 membership fee can be applied as credit to be used for driving.

“It provides students with alternative transportation options. But also it reduces the need to have cars on campus and supports sustainability efforts,” said Phillips.

To find out more information about Enterprise’s carshare go to: Enterprisecarshare.com

Zipcar

According to Market Manager Kaleb Miller, Zipcar is an ideal service for students because it offers cost-saving options that give more variety to the transportation available.

“It is an extra means that allows people to make more decisions about where they go and how they get there,” said Miller. “The more options a student has, the more choices they can make.”

Zipcar advertises free gas, and cars can be reserved ahead of time online or via a mobile app. The company offers various memberships plans with a special discount for DU students and included insurance coverage.

“During these economic times, parents and students need more ways to manage the full cost of education. One thing that we can do is to provide alternatives for students as well as parents to cover the costs,” said Miller.

Zipcar promotes their eco-friendly cars and commitment to sustainability, according to Miller.
“Members who use our service actually have increased the number of trips that they make on public transportation, as well as biking and walking,” Miller said.

There are thousands of zipcars around the world that can be used by any member and, according to Miller, over 300 universities have brought Zipcar to their campuses. Near DU, there are Zipcar locations by the intersection at Asbury Avenue and University Boulevard, as well as Evans Avenue and High Street.
To find out more information about Zipcar go to: Zipcar.com

Car2Go

Car2Go offers over 200 vehicles in the Denver area that can be picked up and dropped off at a number of different locations, and the cars can be dropped off in a different spot from where they were picked up. According to Michael Pletsch, location manager for Car2Go Denver, they are the only car share company in the world with a free flow model.

The cars can be booked online through a computer or a mobile app 30 minutes in advance or simply picked up on the spot, and at any destination the car can be left or kept for continued use. A fuel card is included in the car and can be used to pay for gas, and a complimentary 20 minutes are added to the trip if refueling is necessary. Car2Go charges a one-time signup fee, but according to Pletsch, a special deal is currently available to DU students. It includes a discounted signup fee and free driving time.

“For students it works out really well because not every student has a vehicle on campus,” said Pletsch. “It’s another way to get around, so we’re providing an opportunity for folks to get around with a different form of transportation.”

Pletsch additionally said that the advertising on campuses does make a difference in the number of students who sign up, and currently Car2Go is hoping to expand the home area to increase where members can go.

Some students at DU are all for car sharing, such as Erin Smith, a sophomore from La Crosse, Wis. majoring in communications.

“I don’t think that car sharing is a bad idea. Most students definitely don’t need their own cars,” Smith said.

However, even with the increasing popularity of car sharing as an alternative to driving personal cars, not all students would give up the independence of having their own cars. Shikha Goyal, a sophomore Biology major from Portland, Ore. said that she would not choose to use car sharing over owning her own car.

“There is a convenience about having your own car that you wouldn’t have anymore,” said Goyal.
For students who are looking for ways to explore new parts of Denver and escape the campus bubble, car sharing services are certainly a less costly albeit possibly less convenient alternative to having a car on campus.

To find out more information about Car2Go check out their website: car2go.com/en/denver.