News-Letter

Media Credit: Jon Torres Baltimore City plans to provide a non-profit car rental service.

The Baltimore City parking authority recently announced plans to start a car sharing program in the Baltimore area, with a test run beginning in the coming months.

Baltimore officials hope the nonprofit car-sharing service, which will be called Baltimore CarShare, will reduce the overall number of cars used in the city, reducing traffic and demands for parking.

"We see this as an extension of public transit," Special Assistant for the Parking Authority of Baltimore City Tiffany Janes said. "Our members would rely more heavily on other forms of transportation for most of their trips and, when needed, the cars will be available for use. It will be another way of getting around without owning a vehicle full time."

The program is set to begin early next year. Individuals over 18 will be able to register and become members.

Subscribers will pay a monthly fee as well as a $4 to $5 per-hour charge. ZipCar, a private car-sharing company, currently charges $9.25 to $9.75 per-hour. Parking Authority officials are currently considering whether to also include a per-mile charge.

Members will be required to reserve the car prior to use and return the vehicle to a designated location after use. Maintenance and insurance costs will be covered by the company.

The non-profit Baltimore CarShare program has been in planning for over two years. In 2006, Baltimore officials contacted the two major car-sharing companies at the time, FlexCar and ZipCar, with regards to possibly expanding either company's service in the Baltimore area. Only FlexCar responded back.

The company sent a proposal to Baltimore Parking Authority asking for certain guarantees upfront including a requirement that the cars be used at least 1000 hours per month.

"I would definitely use it. This sounds like a great concept and something like this could improve transportation in Baltimore, but I would consider public transportation or mass transit," Program Coordinator of Public Education Partnership Corps Aaron Soto-Karlin said.

A preliminary deal was made between Baltimore City and FlexCar in mid-2007 and plans were made to have 20 to 24 vehicles available by the end of 2007. But in October 2007, FlexCar was bought out by ZipCar and the companies merged.

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