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| ADVENTURES IN CAR SHARING |
Right now (until December 31, 2016) new members can get a year's membership for just $1 (the application fee is waived and the annual membership, normally $35, reduced to $1!) And, until the end of the year, using one of the two Nissan Altimas that currently make up the program fleet, costs $5 per hour (normally it's $7.50).
Though I own a car, I am currently sharing it with my housemate so I thought I would join for a dollar and see how it works. While I may not need a car share in town very much, another benefit of being a member, acccording to the FAQ page, is being able to book a car in another city, and that might come in handy for vacations.
I had read through the new member info and felt I had a good grasp of how things worked. In this first experience, I found that some things worked great and there were a few glitches.
I will summarize what I learned today here in case you join. It's not exactly as easy as they describe in the little intro videos, but it's much cheaper than buying, registering, paying interest on, insuring, fueling, and maintaining your own car.
1. When you get your card, there's a six digit number on the front. This is NOT your member number which was emailed when your application was complete. This is your gas PIN. You may want to write your member number on your key card. More about this below!
2. Make sure you have the details of your reservation with you - either printed out or on your phone or tablet's Enterprise Car Share app. You may need to adust your reservation or call about a problem and having all the details handy will help. In fact, in addition to your reservation details, make sure you have with you - your key card, your membership number, a paper and pencil or an enhanced memory, and some money or a credit card just in case, your smart phone with Enterprise app installed.
3. Because of the way the pick up and return times work, at least now while the cars are not being heavily used, I would suggest reserving for the shortest time you think you will need the car and adjusting your reservation by adding 15 or 30 minutes while you're using the car if needed. More about this below. This won't work so well if it gets to a point where the vehicles are busy all the time, but that's what I suggest for now.
4. The blue Nissan Altima is in lot C-2 (the Stadium Lot) and it's in a RESERVED spot three in on the furthest west (facing East Avenue and the sidewalk) row of parking. (Of course I started way on the other side and walked the whole lot before finding the vehicle!) The white (other) Altima is in a different lot - I think in the lot between Recreational Eagle Center and La Crosse Street).
5. The #4 bus stops right at the corner of Vine and East Avenue - just steps from the car. If you ride your bike there, there is a large bike parking area just across the street.
6. The person before you was supposed to have left at least 1/4 tank of fuel in the vehicle. In my case, the first thing that greeted me when I started the car was the LOW FUEL indicator. Hmmm. No problem. I would gas up near my first errand stop.
When you get gas, you will swipe the gas card (stored in the glove box) and then need to enter the car's current mileage (thus the paper and pencil) and then your PIN number.
7. When your membership is approved, they are supposed to enter your personal PIN (the six digit number on your key card) into the system. If they don't, when you go to get gas, you will get the message BAD PIN and that's when you will use your member number and reservation details to call Enterprise and ask them what is going on! They are very helpful.
8. If it takes you extra time to deal with gassing up the vehicle because of someone else's screw up, ask for extra time free of charge.
9. If you return the car before your reservation time is up, you will not be able to swipe your card to end your reservation. This is a problem if you don't want to wait around until the exact minute (the reservation times are in 15 minute segments) it does end. So, call Enterprise and they will end the reservation for you. This seems a little weird and silly, but that's the way it is, apparently.
However, if, during your reservation, you realize you have reserved for too long and you shorten your reservation, you will still be charged for up to three hours from the time you make the change (or until your original reservation ends, whichever comes first).
That's why I say, go short and add time by phone or with the app if needed (and possible). From the FAQ: "If your extension or late return delays another member who has reserved the vehicle you are driving, an inconvenience fee may apply."
Overall, it was an adventure and I learned a lot. Now I know how to gas up the vehicle and how to maneuver the reservation system. As I said, it's much cheaper than owning a car. And statistics show that car sharing reduces the number of miles driven and more efficiently uses resources.
So, if you've been thinking about it, I encourage you to try it for a year and see if it works for you. Join by December 1 to save money. Comment with your own experiences or with questions.
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