Zip Around Town with New Transportation Option in Newton Centre
Zipcar has arrived in Newton Centre.
Looking for a way to get around The Garden City? There's a new option waiting for you right in Newton Centre.
Zipcar recently rolled up to the Newton Centre Langley Road parking lot and will be in city for a one-year trial, according to a memo sent out last week by the Newton's Planning & Development Department.
Those who have Zipcar memberships can reserve the two cars in Newton Centre and rent them by the hour. A Toyota Prius will run $7.50/hour and a Nissan Altima Hybrid will be $11.50/hour. The rental car company pays the city to park the cars in the municipal lot spaces.
The new cars provide "a valuable and sustainable transportation option to help residents,visitors, and employees reach their destinations," the memo said.
According to the memo, Zipcar has reported "heavy usage" of the cars already and if the program is successful, it could be expanded to other parts of the city.
Charlie Shapiro
11:44 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
This is a Green, and useful addition to Newton and offers an alternative to auto ownership to those who only occasionally need the use of a car.
As a member of the BOA's Public Safety & Transportation committee, I congratulate the Mayor's office for successfully following through on this idea. The W6 aldermen were involved in these discussions from the start, including meetings I attended (in the Newton Centre parking lot!) to discuss location, leasing fees, etc. I hope folks will take advantage of this added service.
Alderman Charlie Shapiro