The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority announced today that Zipcar is expanding it’s program in the city. Zipcar is a program that allows a member to pay a modest fee for use of a car for a few hours. Four cars- two Scion xDs and two Toyota Matrixes, are parked downtown, two near Palio restaurant on Main Street, and two near Kerrytown at Fourth Avenue and Catherine Street.

With the debut of Zipcar, Ann Arbor’s transportation options have expanded. Already a great city for bike commuters, the downtown area offers many transportation options for downtown Ann Arbor condominium dwellers. The city’s bus system is top notch, and the downtown Amtrak station is easily accessible. The many bike paths surrounding the city make it easy for Ann Arbor home owners to commute downtown. Zipcars will allow those without cars to pay a small fee, reserve a car, and use it for errands around town, or take it out of town for a few hours. The cars can be reserved hourly or by the day.

Ann Arbor’s Downtown Development Authority is subsidizing the costs of the program. The Zipcar program has been operating since 2006 on the University of Michigan’s campus for use by students and faculty, and currently has over 1,000 people signed up as members.

Already a popular program in large cities such as Washington D.C., Zipcars are an excellent option for residents who need use of a car, but don’t want or need to commit to monthly car payments, maintenance, and insurance. Add Zipcar to your list of ways to move around the city.