Miami Unveils New Car Sharing Program
MIAMI (CBS4) - Options for transportation around the city of Miami are growing. Starting this weekend a car sharing program called car2go is placing 240 Smart Cars around Miami city streets for people to use and share collaboratively.
"It's easy, it convenient, said Liza Walton who came out Sunday in Miami to test drive. "The cars are everywhere."
It's an eco-friendly program where drivers pay a onetime $35 dollar membership fee. Members then receive access to cars with a simple swipe of their membership card over a small computer placed under the windshield of the car. Next, the doors unlock, the driver keys in their personal pin number and off they go. The cars can be driven anywhere.
"It's is a great way to get around Brickell or if you're just going to the design district for the evening," said Walton."You can have dinner and a couple cocktails and cab back."
Cars are available 24 hours a days. They can be used for as long as the driver needs it, without having to commit to a return time or location.
Miami is the fifth location in the United States and the 14th city worldwide to have the car2gosharing program.
"The success of car2go around the world to date shows that we are in a time that demands and calls for new mobility solutions in urban settings, and we are thrilled to be working with the City of Miami and the Miami Parking Authority to bring the next generation of car sharing to the people who live in, work in and visit Miami," said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of car2go North America.
According to research the average renter drivers 8-10 miles within the city. The cost of a rental with car2go is 38 cents per minute. In Miami the average cost of that trip is about $12 dollars.
"We take care of all of the cost associated with parking, fuel, maintenance and insurance, said Katie Stafford who is the spokesperson for car2go. "You're really just paying for the amount time that you use the car."
Smart Car can be returned to any legal parking spot in the city if Miami. The company says the cars are easily tracked through their website or on individual smart phones.
For more information go to car2go.
