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San Francisco, like any other major metropolis, is a daunting place to own a car. The “City by the Bay” consistently ranks in the top-five lists of most expensive cities to live in the United States, with some of the highest gas prices and insurance rates around. People moving to San Francisco from places with the average standard of living will experience sticker shock for some time, and San Francisco natives and newcomers alike seek more cost-effective ways to get about town. The city offers many types of transportation to get people where they need to go, and car-sharing is quickly catching on as a great solution to the costs of owning a personal vehicle.
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Flexcar also have hybrid cars avaiable
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The Bay Area is currently the car-sharing darling of the country: it is the only region at the moment with three car-sharing companies serving customers. City Carshare, which has been around the longest, has 140 vehicles and 5,000 members who are signed up. Big car-share names Zipcar and Flexcar started here last year and are steadily increasing “home lot” locations for the convenience of their customers.
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Fleet of various Flexcars available
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All three car-share programs generally work the same way. The reason they are so popular is because they offer the freedom of accessing a car without all the costs involved with maintaining car ownership. Flexcar members enjoy unlimited miles, free gas no matter where the destination is, the best insurance available, and a prime parking spot designated only for Flexcar. Members simply pay an annual membership fee, and pay for every hour the car is used. The company provides access to their fleet of hybrid and other vehicles via the internet or phone request. Members log on and can reserve Flexcars that are stationed at home lots, which are determined by where the members themselves most frequently live.
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The smart card is waved in front of the reader to open the door
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When you register as a Flexcar member online, it takes a few days to receive your Flexcard, which they will mail you in your starter package. The SmartCard is RFID technology: Radio Frequency Identification. Members use the Smart Card to access Flexcar vehicles. The technology provides a safe and secure alternative to distributing traditional keys, since all members have access to all Flexcars operating not only in San Francisco, but all across the country. The cars are $9 an hour when you only need it for a few hours, and a day-long rental fee if longer. The low rate is drawing in many residents of San Francisco, who also are likely to benefit from incentive programs that Flexcar offers upon registration.
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Flexcar has reserved spots as one of it's perks
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Car-sharing is appealing to many city dwellers as a way to reduce the high costs of living. In addition to putting money in your pocket, car-share members are helping the environment. In addition to reducing smog levels, saving energy, and boosting use of public transportation, Flexcar, in partnership with American Forests, plants trees across the nation to compensate for even the minimal amount of carbon emissions from their vehicles.
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Flexcar has cars available by the hour or by the day
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More information on Flexcar's San Francisco operation is available at www.flexcar.com or by calling 415-282-3539.
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