Need a car but can't afford the payments?
It may sound like a worn-out sales pitch, but a new transit program in Salt Lake City offers an alternative to car ownership.
A division of U-Haul launched the U Car Share program Tuesday during a news conference at Salt Lake Central Station. The company runs car-sharing programs in Portland, Ore.; Berkley, Calif.; Madison, Wis.; and Portland, Maine.
"We have made vehicle access as convenient as owning a car," said Mike Kemp, marketing president for U-Haul Co. of Utah.
The program is starting with 12 vehicles at commuter- and light-rail stations in Salt Lake City. U Car Share plans to expand to 28 cars throughout the city. The fleet is a mix of hybrid vehicles, including the Toyota Prius and Yaris, and the Ford Focus, Escape hybrid and F-150.
The program is a combined effort of Salt Lake City, the Utah Transit Authority and the University of Utah.
"This is a time of dreams coming true," said John Inglish, UTA's general manager. "This moves Salt Lake City into the arena of world-class transportation."
UTA has five new TRAX lines under construction that will be opened in the next three to five years. Inglish said the car-sharing program is just another step in improving the transportation system.
"It takes buses, trains, bikes and, yes, cars to make a balanced public transportation system," he said.
The program provides an option for community members to go car-free or increase their mobility without having the monthly cost of a personal vehicle, Kemp said. The cost to use a U Car Share vehicle starts at $4.95 per hour plus mileage.
"AAA estimates the monthly cost of private vehicle ownership at $600," Kemp said, noting that consumers drive an average of 65 hours every month in personal vehicles. "Even if you drive a lot with U Car Share, if you drive 74 hours a month, you will save more than $300 a month."
Officials estimate that the use of one U Car Share vehicle will take as many as 15 personally owned vehicles off the road.
The nationwide program began two years ago as part of a sustainability initiative at U-Haul. After starting in larger cities, the program has now made its way to Utah.
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker said the new service is just what the city needs.
"A lot of people have been looking forward to this option," Becker said.
A membership card is required to remotely unlock the vehicle parked right next to select TRAX stations.
The option of how long to use the car is up to consumers, according to Michael Coleman, program director of U Car Share.
"There is a reader on every one of the vehicles," Coleman said. "You hold the card up to the (wireless card) reader, and the doors will unlock for you."
Keys are located in the glove box on a key holder, he said. Drivers can drive off to wherever they need to go and then return the car and key back to the original location.
When drivers are done with the car, all they have to do to lock the car is "hold the card over the reader again, and the information is sent to U Car Share," Coleman said. Customers are then billed accordingly, he said.
Even though the program has been launched, city leaders say it's up to the community to make sure it succeeds.
"It is up to us to make this successful," said City Councilman JT Martin. "It is up to the commuters that come off (FrontRunner) every day and come into the city. It is up to our students who come to our city and need an alternative mode of transportation and up to our city dwellers."
Drivers must be at least 18 years old to join the program. There are no annual fees associated with the membership, and once customers join, they are able to reserve a car in advance online.
For more information about U Car Share, call 866-323-4591 or visit www.ucarshare.com.
e-mail: cneugebauer@desnews.com