ZipCar is a company that rents cars to its members. It is a system that works well for students or for residents that can commute by foot or by bike most of the time, but might need a car occasionally. If you need to take a car out more than once a week, though, the per-hour cost might run a little too high to be really convenient.
How it works:
Zipcar cars are parked in marked parking spaces around the UIUC campus. They usually have logos on the side. A member can go online and place a reservation to use that car at a certain time for a certain amount of time. The cost is $7.50 per hour on weekdays and $8.50 per hour on weekends. Drivers do not have to pay for gas. If the car is running low, there is a gas card in the car they can use to fill it up. The cost of insurance is also covered in the membership fee.
After making a reservation, the member takes their Zipcar card and uses it to unlock the car (via sensors by the windshield). Once it is unlocked, they can climb in, retrieve the key (hidden inside the car), and drive away. They must not keep it out longer than their reservation states, but they can renew it with a smartphone or via text to keep from incurring a fine.
Zipcar also has a special offer for university students, faculty, and staff. You can learn more about it here: http://www.zipcar.com/uillinois
