New Yorkers to get new car sharing option from Mint on May 1
Drivers in Brooklyn and Park Slope, New York will have a new car sharing option available to them starting May 1. Mint is expanding from its current base in Manhattan into new parts of the city. Mint will also be expanding further over the rest of the year. Mint functions much like other car sharing services in that users sign up for a membership and then get to rent cars as needed on an hourly or daily basis. Members get a smart card to unlock the cars. Insurance and gas are included in the rental fees. Cars can be reserved online and prices range from $2/hour to $13/hour depending on when you rent and the type of car.
Aspiring members have to pay a $25 application fee, but the first year's membership fee is waived. For New Yorkers, car sharing is a particularly appealing option given the cost of parking and the crowded roads.
[Source: Mint]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
brn 9:19AM (4/24/2009)
Why do these car sharing companies almost exclusively lease imports?
I don't buy efficiency (I see the Tundra at Mint) or reliability (Mercedes, Nissan, and Scion are in there too) as excuses.
Reply
bvz 4:22PM (4/24/2009)
I suspect it is a case of perceived desirability. If costs are somewhat comparable (and they are) it makes good business sense to offer cars that will draw a larger customer base.
Now, before anyone jumps down my throat, I am not saying imports are necessarily more desirable across the board, but there is little doubt in my mind that many of the cars offered are ones that do not have a viable domestic competitor... think Smart, Mini, VW etc. (I would except the SUV category where the domestics have very competitive offerings).