Illinois State Car Share Program Coming This Fall

Illinois State University is partnering with the Hertz car rental company to offer an innovative car sharing program on campus this fall.  Connect by Hertz, will allow students, faculty and staff to rent a car by the hour or by the day for a small fee.  The program offers an economical, convenient and socially conscious alternative to car ownership.

A preview of the Connect by Hertz program will be offered on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Festival ISU on the Illinois State Quad.  A Toyota Prius car share vehicle will be on display and qualified faculty, staff and student applicants will receive a free one year program membership.  The free membership offer will be extended throughout the first year of the program. The car share program is a combined initiative of Illinois State's Office of Parking and Transportation, Facilities Management and Green Team.

Cars will be on campus and available for rent by early October.   The car share fleet will consist of two Toyota Priuses, a Ford Escape and one vehicle made by Mitsubishi. The Connect by Hertz program utilizes a paperless program so members can reserve the cars via the internet or phone.  Program membership will also include insurance, fuel, roadside assistance, maintenance and cleaning. When the program is officially launched registration will be available through the Connect by Hertz website www.connectbyhertz.com

"We are very excited about this fall's launch of the Connect by Hertz car share program on campus," said Enid Cardinal, Illinois State's sustainability coordinator.  "The program will give members the benefits of car usage without having to worry about parking and upkeep.  This program will be a valuable addition to Illinois State's portfolio of transportation options."