You've got questions, we've got answers.
At least we hope we do! Below are some commonly asked questions about CarShare Vermont. If you can't find the answer to your particular question, please contact us so we can try to answer it and add it to our FAQs.
How can car-sharing help me save money?
Owning a car is expensive. There are car payments, insurance, routine maintenance and registration fees just to keep it. And if you drive it, you've got to consider gas, repairs, parking, and other unexpected expenses. Because car-sharing converts the high fixed costs of owning a car into affordable variable costs shared by all of our members, it saves you money. Also, car ownership encourages more driving while car-sharing results in less driving–the less you drive, the more you save!
Is CarShare Vermont right for me?
Car-sharing makes sense for a lot of people and organizations with different transportation needs. If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, then car-sharing may very well make sense for you (and your business too).
– Are you contemplating purchasing an additional vehicle for your household?
– Are you a multi-car household looking to downsize?
– Did your car recently die and you'd like to avoid buying a new one?
– Are you on a mission to live car-free?
Do I have to be a member of CarShare Vermont to use the cars?
Yes, only members of CarShare Vermont can drive our cars. This is because insurance is included with membership.
Who can join CarShare Vermont?
Our membership eligibility requirements are primarily based on driving history. Anyone who is 21 and older, has at least two consecutive years of driving history, and a clean driving record should be eligible to join (our insurer gets the final say based on your record). Drivers who are under 21 (and at least 18) also need two consecutive years of driving history, an impeccable driving record, and proof of insurance from a primary policy holder. This insurance will be your primary coverage until you turn 21, and CarShare Vermont's insurance will be secondary. Once you turn 21, you will be automatically covered by our insurance.
Is the Share-a-Little or Share-a-Lot plan right for me?
Well, that depends on how much you plan to drive. If you think you'll use a car at least a few times a month to grocery shop, run errands, or visit friends out of town, then the Share-a-Lot plan is probably the most economical option. On the other hand, if you'd like to join CarShare Vermont just as a back-up for your household fleet (or to occasionally use a pick-up truck when we get them), then the Share-a-Little plan will probably suffice. However, you may decide to sign up as a Share-a-Lot member even though you rarely drive a car just because you're a fan of car-sharing in the community and want to support CarShare Vermont. That's great too!
Can I switch membership plans?
Yes, members can upgrade from the Share-a-Little to the Share-a-Lot plan anytime for free. Members can downgrade from the Share-a-Lot to the Share-a-Little plan once every 12 months. For example, if you're a student who will be leaving Vermont for the summer, you can switch to the Share-a-Little plan while you're away to avoid paying the monthly membership fee. Then you can switch back to the Share-a-Lot plan in the fall. However, members cannot switch back and forth more than once per year.
Why is there an hourly and a mileage fee?
Rather than charging a higher hourly rate that includes mileage, CarShare Vermont's variable rates allow you to only pay for how much you drive. In this way, people who primarily drive locally to run errands will not be subsidizing trips for people who drive longer distances. Our rates will also promote more efficient driving, which will benefit our environment.
Is smoking allowed in the cars?
Definitely not. Smoking in our cars can result in a hefty fee, along with a cleaning charge. For a full list of our fees and credits, please check out our Member Handbook.
Are pets allowed in the cars?
We do love pets of all kinds, but because different people with various health issues (especially allergies) and different tolerance levels for cleanliness, pets are strictly not allowed for the comfort of everyone. We're sorry!
What's a pod?
That's what we call our locations where you'll find a car (or two). Usually one or two cars live at a pod, which can take the form of parking spaces on the street, in a lot, or in a garage. The term "pod" was coined by our friends at City CarShare and we think it's great.
What's a fob?
Again, we give full credit to City CarShare for the terminology! A fob is the electronic key that allows our members to self-access our vehicles when they have a reservation. Each fob is personalized so we can keep track of each member's usage.
Will the fob start the car?
Sort of. The fob enables the car's engine so the ignition key will work (the ignition key is hidden inside the car). This prevents people from stealing our cars.
Who takes care of gas?
We do! Each car is equipped with a fuel card especially assigned to it. The fuel card works at most gas stations like a debit or credit card. We'll tell you how to use it when you become a member (kind of like a secret handshake).
How do I make a reservation?
There are two very easy ways to reserve a car. You can either login into our website or call our automated phone reservation line using your member I.D. and password (given to you when you join CarShare Vermont). You then select the time, car, and location of your choice. You can use both the web and phone reservation systems to extend, cancel, or shorten a reservation too.
What if I'm running late?
To avoid accruing late fees and possibly inconveniencing another member, please always try to extend your reservation (by phone or online) if you think you'll need more time with the car. If you can't extend your reservation because another member has reserved the car you're driving, then please return it at the scheduled time. If you absolutely can't return the car on time, please call us as soon as possible so we can try to accommodate the other member. You'll be charged incremental late fees of $20 per half-hour, in addition to the extra time you have the car. If you keep the car late without notifying us, late fees are doubled.
What if I show up for my reservation and the car isn't there?
Please call us right away if you show up for your scheduled reservation and the car is not there. We'll do our best to get you another car or get you to your destination by taxi (we'll pay the bill). We'll also give you a credit toward your next trip.
Can I cancel my reservation?
Yes, you can cancel your reservation at any time by logging into our website or using our reservations line. You may be charged a cancellation fee if you cancel at the last minute and no one else reserves the car.
What if I forget to cancel my reservation?
If you forget to cancel your reservation and don't use the car, you'll be charged for the hours reserved, plus a $10 no-show fee. This is because your unused reservation may have prevented other members from using the car.
What if I get a parking ticket?
Please pay it as soon as possible! If we're notified that the ticket has not been paid, we'll charge your account for the full amount due (including any late fees), along with a $30 processing fee for tracking you down.
Are there other fees I should be aware of?
Sharing is implicit to car-sharing, and that means we're all depending on each other to take good care of the cars, be on time, and be respectful of each other. We have worked hard to make our service as flexible as possible to accommodate sporadic schedules and glitches, but we also impose fees to help enforce timely returns and good manners, and to cover lost revenue. For more information, please check out our fees and credits.
When is CarShare Vermont coming to my neighborhood?
If you live in Burlington, there's a good chance we'll be there soon! We're keeping track of where our potential members live so we can prioritize our future pod locations. We plan to expand to other towns in Chittenden County by 2009 after we gain a bit of experience in Burlington. We also hope to serve other towns across the state. If you'd like to "request a pod" in your neighborhood, please contact us.
