CU students who need transportation options other than busing, biking or walking to campus are trying out CU’s eGo Car Share program, a program that started in early 2009 to provide alternative transportation for the CU community.
The service started as The Little Red Car Co-op in 2001 when a Boulder resident had an extra car lying around and decided to share it with the local community, according to Karen Worminghaus, executive director of eGo Car Share. Now the service has changed names and expanded with cars located in both Boulder and limited areas in Denver.
Currently there are three vehicles located on the CU campus. eGo Car Share’s 2007 silver Honda Fit is located in lot 201 by the UMC. There is also a blue Honda Fit located between Baker Hall and Farrand Field and a silver Honda Fit located between Farrand and Aden Halls.
Anyone wishing to use eGo Car Share has to log onto http://carshare.org and sign up for a membership plan. There is a one-time application fee of $25 which goes towards screening applicants’ driving records.
CU sophomore psychology major Ali Pilurs said she thought the service was a good idea.
“If [students] have that kind of money to spend and want to get somewhere faster than the bus can take them,” Pilurs said.
Interested renters must be at least 18-years-old with at least two years of driving experience. In addition, if potential renters are between 18 and 21 years old they must have a clean driving record meaning no prior accidents, speeding tickets or unpaid parking violations.
Renters can apply with an out-of-state license or a foreign license but must provide a current driving record in English.
Membership is available in three different forms: University Members, Individual/Households and Businesses/Groups.
Nearly 70 percent of the eGo Car Share’s use is by students, according to Worminghaus.
Once a renter decides which group they fit into they must then choose a rate plan. The eGo Car Share program’s Web site recommends the Free Wheelin’ plan “if you think you’ll be using any of our vehicles at least once a week.” There is a $10 monthly fee but the hourly rate is dropped from $4.50 plus mileage charges to $2.50 plus mileage charges.
CU freshman studio arts major Embry Gillet said that as a new student who was still getting used to Colorado, she didn’t need a car because everything she needed is close by.
Gillet did like the idea of renting an eGo Car Share vehicle to take to the mountains on the weekends, though it could be a bit pricey she said.
Gas and insurance is covered in the eGo Car Share customer plans.
“It is the responsibility of each member to fill the tank whenever the tank is less than ¼ full…Simply use the Conoco Gas Card that’s in the glove compartment,” says the eGo Car Share Web site.
eGo Car Share also has full insurance which comes included in the fees charged when members take the cars out.
“We have a $250 deductible on all our vehicles, so if you are in an accident, that would be the limit of your financial liability.”
For the late night driver, eGo Car Share does not charge an hourly rate for renters wishing to take cars out between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“I would probably use [the eGo Car Share service] to get to [Colorado] Springs, but the bus ride to Denver isn’t too bad so I would just take the bus there,” Pilurs said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Zack Shapiro at ZaShapiro@colorado.edu.
