Aspen Replaces Car to Go with Zipcar on May 1

Snow-capped mountains tower over Aspen's streets, where a new car-sharing program is set to launch — one that will impact Western Slope residents who frequent the area. The city is replacing its 20-year-old Car to Go program with Zipcar, starting May 1. This move is part of Aspen's efforts to reduce congestion and enhance carshare services.

Aspen's Transportation Manager, Sandy Doebler, says the goal is to provide flexible, reliable mobility for those without a personal vehicle, while decreasing the number of cars on the road. Consultants flagged Car to Go as an area for growth, especially for short-term vehicle use for visitors. To address this, a private operator — Zipcar, was chosen to partner with the city.

The new program will offer seven cars, in the same locations as the current Car to Go vehicles. Users can book a car for as little as one hour or as long as 14 days. Bookings can be made in half-hour increments, but users need to be mindful of other members' reservations. There will be 180 miles included per reservation, with a mileage charge after that.

Current Car to Go members will see the application fee waived for Zipcar, and the first year of membership will be free. This is a significant incentive for locals who already use the service. However, the financial implications of this partnership for taxpayers remain unclear. The city's newsletter states that Zipcar was founded over 25 years ago, but it doesn't provide information on the costs associated with this new partnership. Transportation costs in Aspen are a concern for locals and visitors alike, and this change may have a significant impact on the community.

Aspen's car-sharing program is not just a local issue, it has implications for the entire Western Slope. Folks around here who visit Aspen regularly will need to adapt to the new system. Zipcar will offer services to tourists and potentially launch car-sharing regionally, which could change how people move around the area, potentially reducing the number of cars on the road. Make no mistake, this is a significant shift in how car-sharing is approached. The decision to outsource a service previously managed in-house raises questions about public-private partnerships in addressing transportation needs. The city's decision to partner with Zipcar may come with risks, but Doebler says Zipcar is well-positioned to improve customer experience and grow the program. What that means for locals who rely on the service is still unclear.

Sunday, April 19, will be the last day for reservations for Car to Go, and the system will close on Monday, April 20. The new Zipcar system is set to launch on Friday, May 1. That's when the real impact of this change will become apparent. Read that again; a new provider is being introduced, and it's a significant change. As the launch date approaches, the consequences of this new program will become more apparent. This change will have a significant impact on how people move around Aspen and the surrounding area. What the impact looks like will depend on various factors, including how well Zipcar integrates with existing transportation systems.