Smart cars are now available for rent on the UA campus. About a year ago, the UA partnered with Connect by Hertz to create a campus car-sharing program.

The UA has 10 cars available in various locations around campus, the newest being the Smart car parked in the Sixth Street Parking Garage.

“”The really neat thing about it is anyone 18 or older can rent the cars,”” said Bill Davidson, marketing and communications manager at Parking and Transportation Services. “”So basically the cars are for if you want to get away for the weekend or go to the grocery store, just rent by the hour.””

The rentals run from $8 to $10 an hour, and the rental includes gas, insurance and roadside assistance.

“”I think everyone is very curious about it,”” Davidson said.

Some students remain unconvinced that the Smart car is a smart decision.

Rachel Kahn, a communications freshman, said that she thought the cars were unsafe.

“”They’re convenient, but the cons over weigh the pros,”” said Al Ruiz, pre-business freshman.

In 2008, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested the Smart car for safety. The car received a combination of Good and Acceptable ratings — Good being the highest rating and Acceptable being the second highest. Despite the Smart car’s good crash test ratings, the study did point out that the risk of death is higher in smaller cars than larger ones.

The UA also has Priuses and Mini Coopers.

Davidson said students enjoy that the program offers different cars.

“”We even have sometimes people waiting for certain cars,”” Davidson said.

More than 600 students have memberships with the car-sharing program.

Students who sign up for a membership before Oct. 31 will not have to pay the $25 membership fee.

To sign up, students need to go to the Connect by Hertz website and enter the promotional code to get the free membership.

Within 24-48 hours you will hear from Hertz saying your membership has been approved. All drivers between ages 18 and 21 must have a clean driving record.

Once you are approved, you will receive a membership card in the mail that will also allow you to unlock any of the cars. If you lose the card, you can call Hertz immediately to de-activate it.

“”The car-sharing program helps reduce the number of cars on the road, reduce emissions, and also ensures that less air pollutants and green house gases are emitted, so I think it is a great program for the environment,”” Davidson said.