Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University has launched a new partnership with Enterprise CarShare to offer hourly car rentals on campus. The convenient transportation option will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students, faculty and staff ages 18 and older.

Indiana State will offer two Ford Focus vehicles, which will be located in the Welcome Center parking lot at Fifth and Chestnut streets. The cars are available on demand or can be reserved in advance.

"We are excited to offer car sharing to students, faculty and staff at our campus," said Jim Speer, professor of geography and geology and executive director of the Institute for Community Sustainability at Indiana State. "This initiative provides students with an affordable transportation option, even if they don't have a vehicle on campus, as well as for personal use by faculty and staff. In fact, we hope the program will reduce the need for cars on campus and contribute to our sustainability efforts."

Indiana State students age 18 and older are eligible for membership in Enterprise CarShare, which offers around-the-clock access to hourly, daily and overnight rentals. Enterprise allows members to maintain the benefits of a personal car while paying for the vehicle only when it is being used.

The CarShare program at Indiana State is kicking off with a September Special. Campus students and staff with a credit card and valid driver's license can join the program for $10 and get $35 in driving credits by going to http://www.enterprisecarshare.com/car-sharing/program/indstate .

Members reserve a vehicle online, then access the vehicle using a membership card and return it to the same location. Fuel, basic physical damage to the vehicle and state-required liability protection are included in the standard rate plan. Local Enterprise operations maintain cars and have the flexibility to add CarShare vehicles to meet demand.

"Enterprise CarShare provides students at Indiana State University with a low-cost, convenient transportation solution located right on the campus," said Ryan Johnson, assistant vice president of Enterprise CarShare. "Enterprise CarShare network offers a sustainable, totally automated and efficient mobility option that can help alleviate parking and transportation challenges at universities across the United States."

Enterprise CarShare is a natural extension of the local car rental service Enterprise pioneered and continues to provide, and car-share programs are supported by the extensive Enterprise Rent-A-Car neighborhood network of more than 5,500 rental offices, Johnson said.

Along with operating two rental locations in Terre Haute, Enterprise recruits and hires Indiana State graduates. Nearly 50 Indiana State alumni work for Enterprise across the nation, including five graduates who have joined the company since the first of the year. A Brand Ambassador Internship program has been established at Indiana State to market the car-sharing service on campus.

CarShare is available on two other Indiana campuses, Depauw University and Earlham College. More information is available by visiting www.enterprisecarshare.com , the Enterprise CarShare Facebook page, or by following @carshare on Twitter.

Writer: Paula Meyer, Communications and Marketing, 812-237-3783 or paula.meyer@indstate.edu