Flexcar Lets People Borrow Vehicle By Hour, Day

KNBC-TV
7:38 a.m. PDT September 22, 2006
LOS ANGELES - With high gasoline prices and growing interest in cutting our dependence on oil, more people are trying an idea called car-sharing. NBC4?s Kelly Mack explains how people are doing this. Video

Following is a verbatim script from the on-air report.

KELLY MACK: Kenya Barber gets into a Honda Element, grabs the key and puts it in the ignition, and takes off to do her errands. But Kenya doesn't own this car. And she doesn't have a personal auto insurance policy. She is a member, however, of Flexcar, a company that offers the use of its cars by the hour or by the day. MARGARET KEMP, FLEXCAR: Once you're a member you get this handy flex card. It's like a hotel room key. And right on the face of the vehicle is an electronic display where you put the card and it opens the vehicle. The key is right in the car.

MACK: The flat rate of $10 an hour or $50 to $70 a day includes gasoline, premium insurance, unlimited miles, 24/7 emergency assistance and reserved parking.

That is normally a lot more than you get at car rental agencies.

KENYA BARBER, FLEXCAR MEMBER: With Avis or Hertz you can't rent by the hour. They're easier to pick up. You just go online, find out which Flexcar is available, we know how to get there, it?s done.

MACK: With gas prices at all time highs, clogged highways and astronomical insurance rates, the idea of borrowing a car only when you need it is becoming increasingly popular. Flexcar has been in the U.S. for about 10 years and is especially popular in cities like Seattle and Portland. The car-sharing concept has existed in Europe for 20 years. Flexcar is relatively new in Los Angeles, but looking to grow.

KEMP: We're in downtown, we're in Pasadena, Mid-Wilshire, Westwood, UCLA, Santa Monica and Venice and more to come. MACK: The company has received numerous awards for providing a service that reduces congestion on the highways, air pollution, and energy use and increases the use of public transportation.

KEMP: It makes sense for green reasons. Every time you have a Flexcar in the neighborhood it reduces personal car ownership by about 14.

MACK: Kenya loves being less dependent on oil and keeping her hands clean.

KEMP: I love not having to check on the tires, change the oil, those things are not good for me.

MACK: Car sharing may not be for everyone, but for some it could be a means to a simpler life, a bigger bank account...and a healthier planet.