Jul 21, 2008 4:00 pm US/Eastern
3 On Your Side: Low Car Diet
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Do you think that you could
live without your car for a month? Some vehicle owners in our area are putting
that to the test. They'll try to do without their wheels for 30 days while
pondering whether they really need to own a car at all.
Alex Moy recently moved to Center City
and made an interesting discovery. He says, "I realized that I don't really
need a car." So Alex parked his car for the last time today - at least for the
next month. He'll see if he can get around using buses, bikes, and his own two
feet. He surrendered his car keys and joined others taking part in what is
being called a "Low Car Diet." The promotion is the brain child of the
car-sharing service, Zipcar. "We expect that several of the participants will
actually get rid of their cars permanantly and just rely on Amtrak, Septa,
Zipcar and biking," says Jeremy Nelson of Zipcar.
In exchange for handing
over their car keys for month, Alex and others are getting a free Zipcar
membership, free drive time, and survival pack of sorts that includes discounts
to local merchants and tokens to use on Septa. Alex says the timing of the
promotion couldn't be better, "my insurance premiums are do in about a month,
so is my registration and inspection, what a perfect time to try something like
this out."
Jennifer Bendik is trying
out the Low Car Diet too, giving up her four wheel car in favor of her two
wheel bike. According to Jennifer, "I love my car, I have an attachment to my
car and I try to cut down on the amount of driving that I do., and so I'll see
if I can give her up."
Zipcar, like other car
services, is a good option for those who don't want the expense of owning a
car, but need one occasionally.
Along with a membership
fee, you'll pay an hourly or daily fee, which includes all the cost of gas,
mileage, and insurance—which these days can add up fast!
For more information, click
on the link below:
http://www.zipcar.com/philadelphia/find-cars
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