It seems that at the beginning of every term, there is a stand with a Zip car right in the middle of Portland State’s park blocks. At first I couldn’t make out what they were trying to offer, I simply walked passed by them. It wasn’t until a friend told me he had rented a car to head south of Oregon that I learned about Zip car. Some students such as myself, own a car, but its back home and I can’t afford the high cost of parking. However, it is nice and at times convenient to have a car to get to places faster and to get out of downtown.
I eventually signed up, a simple application is filled out, a fee is paid, and your driving history is checked. Once approved, a Zip card is mailed to your address that essentially unlocks and locks any Zip car you rent. All Zip cars have a sensor in the corner of the windshield that reads said card. There are numerous Zip cars you can rent online, and the cars are found all across downtown, from PSU parking structures to nearby businesses.
The best part may be the perks. A Zip car can be rented for a few hours to a whole day, there is a student discount and special offers, insurance is provided, and gas is paid for by the company. Depending on the car model, prices can range from $10 to $15 an hour, and $70 to $90 for a whole day. It’s easy, convenient, and affordable.