Shopping for the holidays has just been
made easier with cars that are parked around Brooklyn for members
to drive by the hour – instead of owning their own vehicles.
In June 2000, an American spin was put on a European idea: Zipcars
were placed around key cities and neighborhoods for short-term
auto rentals (car sharing) where people could drive cars by the
hour – or day – on their terms. In June 2002, the company opened
its first lot in Brooklyn.
Zipcar offers everything from MINI Coopers to Ford Escapes, which
can really hold a lot of gifts. Gas, designated parking, maintenance,
and XM Satellite radio are included in the hourly and daily rates.
"Customers first become members at a cost of $50 a year,
along with the one time $25 application fee," Zipcar representative
Kim Hamelburg told GO Brooklyn. Cars are reserved online or by
telephone at rates that start at $8.50 an hour.
Customers then let themselves into the cars, which are parked
in satellite lots throughout the city, using the Zipcard – cards
similar to the safety devices used to enter office buildings.
They return cars to the same locations, and charges are billed
to credit cards already on file.
If you are looking to shop outside of Brooklyn, or if you’re
just planning to head across town and load up with bulkier gifts
or supplies for a holiday party, Zipcar might be your answer.
Zipcar has satellite parking lots in Cobble Hill, DUMBO, Flatbush,
Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope and Prospect Heights. For more information
on lot locations and to reserve a Zipcar, e-mail info@zipcar.com,
call (866) 4-ZIPCAR, or visit the Web site at www.zipcar.com.
