OccasionalCar

For some Denver citizens, car ownership is overrated. You have to find parking, pay insurance, and, if it's a fancy new ride, make a monthly payment. The bus is cheaper, and you never have to pay attention to the fluctuation of gas prices. However, if you've ever had to drag 30 pounds of groceries onto a crowded, peak-hour bus, you've probably experienced first-hand the limitations of public transit. But there is a third option.

Car sharing.

No, this is not a modern-day Brook Farm commune, where like-minded ideological hippies share a car, lovers, and butter-churning duties. Car sharing is a temporary rental. Customers can reserve a vehicle for an hour or two, return the car to its parking spot, and move on with their day. Up until last year, this service didn't exist in Denver.

Russell Straub—along with his partners Matt Peterson, Mark Barlow, and Scott Wieseneyer—started OccasionalCar in March 2009.

"We got our first car in operation March 17th. We only had one. Now we have eight: seven in Capitol Hill, and one in Lodo," said Straub.

Straub modeled the idea after Zipcar, a car-sharing company that operates in over 50 cities nationwide—but not in Denver. He and his partners saw an opportunity, and set up shop. And so far, according to Straub, the response has been encouraging.

"It wasn't like we threw up a website and people found us, but marketing and word of mouth resulted in some customers," said Straub. "Now, we have more than 400 members in Denver."

Each car has a designated parking spot. Members all receive an electronic entry card when they sign up. They reserve the car and use their card to enter the car. The ignition key is in the vehicle at all times. Rates run as low as $3.49 per hour plus 24 cents per mile driven on weekdays to as high as $9.99 per hour plus 24 cents per mile on the weekends. There is a membership fee of $40 and an application fee of $25, which pays for the paperwork needed to check an individual's driving records. But, so far, Straub said that he has waived that fee for every customer.

"We thought about it, and most of the other transportation options don't require a membership, and we wanted to remain competitive. The electronic card and checking records cost money, but we still haven't charged anyone a membership fee," said Straub. "We didn't want to turn anybody off, but we don't plan to waive the fees forever."

Anyone who's 21 and over and has a good driving record can become a member without having to provide their own insurance. OccasionalCar insures these members. But 18- to 21-year-olds need to apply their own insurance as well as the company's.

And with eight vehicles being driven around and parked in Denver, there's always the concern that, inevitably, the cars would be damaged. But, Straub said, it has been better than expected.

"So far, no accidents. Everyone who counseled us in the beginning told us we were crazy," he said. "They said people would be trashing the cars, but so far we've only had one incident, which was random vandalism. Someone jumped on the hood of the car."

For Auraria students trapped on campus, there is a car conveniently located in Lodo near 16th and Larimer. And Straub is hoping to expand the number of cars by one per month. 

"The goal is to be an alternative to private car ownership. We would like it to be that, no matter where you live, you can find a car within a couple blocks. But really, the benefit is economic," said Straub. "You pay for it when you need it. If you drive a couple of hours a week, you can reduce your monthly costs by up to 75 percent."

For more information go to www.Occasionalcar.com.