Parking doesn't have to be a problem for students in Philly

By Jen McShane
Collegian Reporter
October 4, 2006

With the advent of the new school year, freshmen at La Salle had to learn to adjust to campus life. One of the major changes that new students had to deal with this year was the rule that freshmen residents were not allowed to bring their cars on campus. The absence of cars was hard to get used to, since many freshmen had been driving for quite a while. The question “how will I get around Philly?” was on the minds of many of the new students. Should students hit the buses, descend to the subways or pay a huge amount for cab fare?

Well, fear not, there is a cheap way to travel around Philadelphia that also allows students to keep up on their driving skills. In 2004, Philly Car Share was introduced. Philly Car Share is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the environment, reducing the number of privately owned cars in Philadelphia and allowing everyone the opportunity to get around the city without the costs typically associated with caring for a car.

Philly Car Share is similar to a rental business, and it has a large amount of cars for use. Car sharing has an advantage over rental companies because it is much cheaper then renting a car. Gas, premium insurance, child seats and 24-hour assistance are just some of the incentives that come free with every car “sharing.” It is a “pay-as-you-go” service, allowing the customer to determine when to drive.

The impact that Philly Car Share has on the environment and the city is steadily increasing. Over 60 percent of the cars the company shares with its customers are hybrids, improving air quality, saving on gas and allowing customers to get the most value for their money. Fewer cars are on the road, allowing for better parking and a decrease in the probability of accidents.

So, how can this benefit a La Salle student? Philly Car Share allows anyone over 18 who has a valid license to use the cars. According to a recent Philadelphia Inquirer article, rates run about $50 a month. While that may sound expensive, imagine just for one moment how much one would spend in gas, maintenance on a car or car insurance each month. Plus, there would be no issue with parking on or around the campus, or worrying about your car being broken into. In addition, parking lots throughout the city have spots reserved specifically for Philly Car Share cars, which means drivers should not run into problems with parking anywhere.

To get involved in the service, students only need to complete an application, which can be done at www.phillycarshare.org . Car requests are generally ready in 24 hours. There are Philly Car Share lots in Center City, Fairmount, Chestnut Hill, University City and Mt. Airy.

For interested La Salle students, the Mt. Airy location is one of the closest to campus. It’s only about 20 minutes away, and it can be reached by taking the 22 or C SEPTA buses.

What are you waiting for? Grab your license and start cruising the town!

mcshanej2@lasalle.edu