By Michelle Ambila

Staff Writer

Students and faculty members on campus will now be able to use Framingham State’s new Zipcars for all their recreational needs.

FSU joined the “Zipcar  for  Universities” program, in order to give students more options when choosing alternative forms of transportation.

According to Claire Ostrander, the assistant director of Student Involvement and Leadership Development, Framingham State also saw the program as “an opportunity for students who don’t have cars on campus to have the ability to get around Framingham.”

In order to be eligible for the Zipcar program, one must be 18 years or older. Prospective Zipcar drivers also need to have had their license for at least a year, and according to Ostrander must have a “clean” driving record.

“Zipcar checks your insurance records to see if you’ve been in multiple accidents,” said Ostrander. “This determines eligibility for Zipcar use.”

Once you are eligible, the first step is to set up an account at Zipcar.com and pay $25 – an annual fee using your credit or debit card.

When the registration process is complete, Zipcar will send you a “Zipcard,” which will later be used to gain access to the car. You will then have the ability to reserve a car online instantly. Drivers can pay $8 an hour to take out the Zipcar for a few hours, or pay $66 to use the car for the whole day.

The cars, now located behind the McCarthy Center, not only come with the assurance of free maintenance and insurance coverage, but also come with “gas cards” that can be used at any available gas station.

“It’s just like a credit card,” said Ostrander. “Just swipe it at your nearest gas station and Zipcar gets the bill.”

Framingham State was able to get one hybrid car, and one regular Zipcar without charge to the university.

According to Ostrander, more zipcars could be available to FSU students in the future depending on how frequently they are being used.

Geoffrey Ducharme, a junior, said that he ”loved every second” of riding in the Zipcar.

“They cover gas and insurance, have a cheap hourly rate, and the cars even have an iPod dock. Riding it was great!” he said.

Unlike Ducharme, other students are unaware this program exists, or have mixed feelings about it.

Casey Tidwell, a sophomore, said, “I would totally use a Zipcar because it is a good alternative to paying for your car to be on campus. It’s also more efficient.”

However, Jacob Aldrich, a sophomore, said, “I feel like they could come in handy, but they are kind of unnecessary because taxi cars are more reliable than Zipcars.”

Missy Bigelow, a sophomore, sarcastically remarked, “I feel like I could blackmail a commuter to take me somewhere for cheaper.”