Hourcar, Zipcar added to Minneapolis car-sharing program

Minneapolis is expanding its car-sharing pilot program to include two additional companies.

The city will reserve 23 on-street parking spaces for users of Hourcar and Zipcar, which provide subscribers with short-term car rentals.

 

In May, the city awarded a contract to a similar company called Car2Go, which currently does not operate in Minnesota.

 

 

Hourcar and Zipcar customers accused Minneapolis of giving Car2Go an unfair advantage, City Councilmember Robert Lilligren said.

 

 

 

"They reached out to the policymakers, and I think had a good a point," Lilligren said. "We listened to the community, and what they were looking for, and we're responding by leveling the playing field a bit for Hour Car and Zip Car, which have been operating within the city for quite some time." 

         

 

                                   

 

 

 

Hourcar and Zipcar require users to return cars to designated spaces. Car2Go has a different model. Its customers will be able to drop their vehicles off at virtually any on-street parking spot.

 

         

The program will begin after Minneapolis negotiates contracts with the companies. All three will reimburse the city for lost parking revenue.

 

 

Source: Minnesota Public Radio, by Curtis Gilbert, June 28, 2013