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

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by Rybold, Sep 28, 2009.

  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    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.
     
    #1 Rybold, Sep 28, 2009
  2. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    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.
     
    #2 a_gray_prius, Sep 29, 2009
  3. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    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.
     
    #3 Rae Vynn, Sep 29, 2009
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    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.
     
    #4 TonyPSchaefer, Sep 29, 2009
  5. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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


    It was fantastic when I was in College. Waaaaaaay cheaper than having a car.
     
    #5 a_gray_prius, Sep 29, 2009
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    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.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Sep 30, 2009
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