Hourly car rental arrives in Lewiston

The shiny silver Prius, parked next to the bike rack in the commons, pulled people to the Zipcar information table. Passers-by - professors, students and parents with students-to-be - "oohed" over the magnetized keyless entry and "aahed" over the gas card included in the rental fee. They inhaled the new-car smell and exclaimed gleefully at the dashboard computer panel with rearview camera.

"Oh, look!" said biology professor Karen Palin, as vivid screen came to life. "That's great."

Zipcar members reserve their cars online and unlock the vehicles using their magnetized membership card. The car's "key" - really more of a plug - is tethered to the ignition. A free gas card is stationed above the driver-side visor, and drivers are asked to return cars with at least one-quarter of a tank of fuel.

http://www.sunjournal.com/story/228462-3/L...es_in_Lewiston/