Zipcar - Parked around the city, you buy time online, and your verification code opens the doors!

Rybold · 09-28-2009, 06:31 PM

Now this is cool ! You are in a major city and you see a Zipcar sitting there at the curb, you get on your cell phone and purchase one hour and you receive a verification code. You then walk over to the car, enter the verification code, the door unlocks and you start the engine and begin driving!

MacRumors iPhone Blog: Zipcar Drives into App Store

Update: According to the comments on the article's thread, these are already in service and several people on that forum have already used them and love them. What's new in this article is the new iPhone App.

a_gray_prius · 09-29-2009, 02:49 PM

The Zipcar/Flexcar/igocar car share setups have been in business for at least 8 years now. I've been able to book from my not-iPhone cellphone for 5 of them already.

Rae Vynn · 09-29-2009, 03:54 PM

There was a Zipcar booth at the Portland VegFest we went to a couple of weekends ago.
I've seen Zipcars in Seattle, as well.

Oh, and we saw a Zipcar pass us on I-5 one day.

It's a great idea, especially in large cities, where generally public transportation/bicycles meet a person's usual transportation needs, and who just needs a car 'once in awhile' for long trips, or major shopping forays.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 09-29-2009, 05:22 PM

I see ZipCars around Chicago from time to time (I'm not actually in the city proper very often). When I do, I smile because it just makes so much sense for people to share a car.

a_gray_prius · 09-29-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

I see ZipCars around Chicago from time to time (I'm not actually in the city proper very often). When I do, I smile because it just makes so much sense for people to share a car.

It was fantastic when I was in College. Waaaaaaay cheaper than having a car.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-30-2009, 12:51 AM

We have ZipCar and Co-Op up here. ZipCar has only downtown area pickup/drop-off locations (so great if you're the type that lives and work downtown). Co-Op has vehicle stations outside of downtown but they're rather sparse.

09-28-2009, 06:31 PM	#1
Rybold globally warmed member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,247 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 95 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Zipcar - Parked around the city, you buy time online, and your verification code opens the doors! Now this is cool ! You are in a major city and you see a Zipcar sitting there at the curb, you get on your cell phone and purchase one hour and you receive a verification code. You then walk over to the car, enter the verification code, the door unlocks and you start the engine and begin driving! MacRumors iPhone Blog: Zipcar Drives into App Store Update: According to the comments on the article's thread, these are already in service and several people on that forum have already used them and love them. What's new in this article is the new iPhone App. Last edited by Rybold; 09-28-2009 at 06:36 PM.

09-29-2009, 02:49 PM	#2
a_gray_prius Rare Under-30 Priuschat Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 538 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: N/A Package: #3 Touring Thanks: 9 Thanked 32 Times in 23 Posts Friends: 9	Re: Zipcar - Parked around the city, you buy time online, and your verification code opens the doors The Zipcar/Flexcar/igocar car share setups have been in business for at least 8 years now. I've been able to book from my not-iPhone cellphone for 5 of them already.

09-29-2009, 03:54 PM	#3
Rae Vynn Tree-hugging Vegan Witch Join Date: May 2007 Location: Grays Harbor, WA, USA Posts: 4,155 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 258 Thanked 61 Times in 51 Posts Friends: 66	Re: Zipcar - Parked around the city, you buy time online, and your verification code opens the doors There was a Zipcar booth at the Portland VegFest we went to a couple of weekends ago. I've seen Zipcars in Seattle, as well. Oh, and we saw a Zipcar pass us on I-5 one day. It's a great idea, especially in large cities, where generally public transportation/bicycles meet a person's usual transportation needs, and who just needs a car 'once in awhile' for long trips, or major shopping forays.

09-29-2009, 05:22 PM	#4
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,500 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	Re: Zipcar - Parked around the city, you buy time online, and your verification code opens the doors I see ZipCars around Chicago from time to time (I'm not actually in the city proper very often). When I do, I smile because it just makes so much sense for people to share a car.

09-30-2009, 12:51 AM	#6
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,620 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 345 Times in 244 Posts Friends: 23	Re: Zipcar - Parked around the city, you buy time online, and your verification code opens the doors We have ZipCar and Co-Op up here. ZipCar has only downtown area pickup/drop-off locations (so great if you're the type that lives and work downtown). Co-Op has vehicle stations outside of downtown but they're rather sparse.

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