4 March 2005
City CarShare
I finally got around to joining City CarShare, and already I love it! There's a car pod just two blocks from my house, with two shiny, new, super compact Scions. I used one yesterday, just to try it out while catching up on errands.
It's actually complicated enough to require an orientation session before they let you begin. You get an electronic key fob. You make reservations on the Web site or through the automatic phone system. Your reservation information gets transmitted to little computers inside the cars. The cars are expecting you when you get there! If it's time for your reservation, your key fob opens one of the cars (it doesn't matter very much which one). The ignition key is already inside, on a cord attached to the dashboard. There's also a gas card in the glove compartment; gas and insurance are included with your membership.
In the orientation, they tell you that people will often ask you about City CarShare while you are driving around, and there's a supply of brochures in the door pocket for this purpose. Less than five minutes into my first trip, somebody darted off the sidewalk, knocked on the passenger window, and asked about the service. He looked pleased when I was able to give him a handy brochure.
I spent about two hours tooling around town, picking up groceries and whatnot. The best part was that, when I was finished, there was none of the usual struggling to find a parking space in the crowded Lower Haight. I simply deposited the car in its reserved City CarShare spot and strolled home. I estimate that this trip cost me about $10, on top of the $10 monthly membership fee. Not bad! And certainly much cheaper and easier than owning my own car.
What I'm looking forward to the most is driving up to Marin on weekends for little day hikes. I haven't been on a hike in a very long time now. Sigh.