Car sharing program now available in Raleigh!

A new car sharing program is now available for Wake residents.  WeCar is a membership-based car sharing program for people who are looking for an alternative method of transportation that lowers the cost and reduces the hassles of traditional transportation.

Members pay an annual fee of $50 plus hourly rates in order to have 24-hour access to WeCar vehicles.  The initial program is geared toward Downtown Raleigh residents.  However, WeCar hopes to expand its services to area universities and businesses to supplement and possibly replace exisiting motor services.  Although Raleigh is the first Triangle community to offer WeCar, a similar program called Zipcar currently operates in Chapel Hill, serving students and university faculty.

Potential WeCar users must be 21 and older, and have a valid drivers license.  Physical damage and liability protection along with fuel and a number of other potential costs are included in the low hourly, daily and overnight rates.  CLICK HERE to learn more about the Raleigh WeCar program!

Benefits of car sharing programs:

• Car sharing provides an alternative to owning a car for urban residents - Urban residents often walk or take public transit to work and do not need a car for commuting, but may require occasional access for trips outside of the city.

• It's cheaper - Car sharing members need not worry about purchasing a vehicle, maintenance, insurance costs, and parking storage fees.

• Variety of vehicle-type availability - Members will eventually be able to gain access to a range of vehicle types, from convertables to hybrids, and even larger vehicles like trucks and vans.

• Alleviates the need for multi-car families downtown - less of a need massive, monolithic parking structures and lots that contribute to polluted stormwater runoff and are notoriously unattractive.

• 24-hour access - Members simply login to the WeCar website and digitally unlock vehicles.  Current lots are located at:
  
  1. 431 S. McDowell, on the Enterprise-Rent-A-Car lot (white car)
  2. Off West Street in Glenwood South, next to the Mirage Night Club (black car)

• Environmental impacts - Car sharing encourages people to utilize a range of transit options including public transit, walking, and biking along with the WeCar service, effectively reducing vehicular traffic and associated air pollution.