"Car Sharing" In Lieu of Renting?

Its an ingenious idea: instead of allowing the family car to sit empty and unused when not being driven, owners in the Bay Area of California, in London and in Boston are joining "car sharing" services which match them with short-term renters.


(Photo by Busy Brain)

Both parties come out ahead. The owners make a bit of extra cash from the rental of their vehicle; and the renters pay less than they would with Hertz, Avis or one of the other major rental car brands. Apparently, the swap organizations are working on cellphone apps that would allow for keyless car opening. For now, owners share electronic keys with their renters.

To read a bit more about these services, click on this recent blog penned by Sean O'Neill for the New York Times.