Zipcars available on Duke campus

DURHAM -- Zipcar, which is described as the world's largest car-sharing company, has arrived on the Duke University campus.

Four self-service vehicles are available for rent on Duke's West Campus: two hybrid Toyota Priuses and two Toyota Matrixes.

Chuck Catotti, director of event management at Duke, said the "green" aspects of the program give people who want to reduce their carbon footprint more transportation choices.

"When you talk to people about why they can't consider alternative transportation, people often have lots of reasons," said Catotti, who oversees parking and transportation services. "This is one of the ways that help lower the barriers for being able to participate in alternative transportation."

In Chapel Hill, UNC-CH has had Zipcars since 2004. They were available for faculty and staff members first. Students began using them in 2007.

To join Zipcar at Duke, users pay a $35 registration fee that is applied as a credit toward reservations in the first month. The cost to reserve a car is $8 per hour or $66 per day. Fuel, maintenance and insurance are included.