A new car share program, open to all members of the Trent community, is now up and running at the University thanks to a partnership between the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA), Trent Parking & Security, Peterborough Green-Up and the City of Peterborough.

Student Car Share is a car sharing program similar to Zip Car. Despite the name, Student Car Share is not only open to students. Any member of the Trent and Peterborough communities over the age of 18 with a G or G2 licence are eligible to become members.

“I think this is an excellent service to offer to our membership. It really rounds out the sustainable transportation options offered by the TCSA. We manage the transit program, have partnered on a bike share program with B!KE: the Peterborough Community Cycling Hub, and now are partners with the car share,” says Tessa Nasca, vice president Campaigns & Equity with the TCSA, who helped bring Student Car Share to Trent. “Car sharing discourages private vehicle ownership, but allows students to access vehicles when they need them. It saves students money, and is more ecologically friendly than private vehicle ownership.”

Trent students, faculty and staff pay an annual membership fee to become a part of the share, and then can access the vehicle whenever needed. Reservations are easily made online, then all members need to do is tap their membership card on the windshield of the car. The car will unlock, and the keys and gas card are inside. Fees start at $8/hour to use the car, including gas and insurance.

Through Student Car Share, one car is available on Trent’s Symons Campus (in the parking lot next to Bata Library) and another downtown by the bus terminal.

 For more information on Student Car Share, or to register as a member, visit www.studentcarshare.ca