CSUSM’s two Zipcars, a Ford C-Max Hybrid and a Nissan Versa, are parked in designated spots on the first floor of the parking structure. All students 18 years of age and older, as well as faculty, staff and community members who are 21 years of age or older, may apply for Zipcar membership as long as they have a valid driver’s license.

Zipcars are available on-demand and can be easily reserved and accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Participating members with smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, may download the Zipcar mobile application to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle. Reservations can also be made over the phone or on Zipcar’s website.

“We are excited to offer this new, affordable and sustainable transportation option,” said Debora Schmidt, commuter coordinator in the CSUSM Department of Parking and Commuter Services. “One Zipcar has the ability to take 15 personally owned cars off the road. It’s a great alternative that can help reduce our parking needs and shrink our carbon footprint.

CSUSM students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar for $15, with rates starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days. The cars are especially a benefit for residential and international students without vehicles, as well as for transit commuters who want to run errands during the day.

For more information, visit the CSUSM Parking and Commuter Services website.

The cars are an especially convenient option for residential and international students without vehicles, as well as for transit commuters who want to run errands during the day. All 18+ CSUSM students, and 21+ faculty, staff and community members who have a valid driver’s license are eligible to apply for a Zipcar membership.

CSUSM students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar for $15, with rates starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days.

When: CSUSM will host a Zipcar launch event on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 from noon to 1 p.m.

Where: University Plaza, California State University San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd.

Why: Parking and Commuter Services at CSUSM aims to offer and promote alternate modes of transportation that are environmentally friendly and effective. Zipcar, which was founded in 2000, is currently operating on more than 500 college and university campuses throughout North America, by far the largest such presence among car sharing brands.