A new car rental program is now available on campus to OU faculty, staff and students to provide them with an alternative method of transportation.

OU Parking Services teamed up with Enterprise Car Rental to offer the WeCar, a car-sharing, membership-based program that minimizes costs and lessens the inconvenience of public transportation, according to the program’s website.

“Nowadays, one last thing you have to bring to on campus for students is a car,” said Doug Myers, director of parking services.

“So the university just saw that there was a need for a car rental program like WeCar, and with the help of the UOSA, we decided to go forward with it.”

The program began last Thursday. Since then, about 10 people have signed up for the WeCar rentals, Myers said.

According to the WeCar website, renters need a valid driver’s license and must be 18 or older to qualify for membership.

The students who are under 21 years old will be asked for parental consent and basic insurance.

If the driver is 21 or above, WeCar provides insurance in the event any accidents occur.

The WeCar vehicles can be found in front of the Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center on designated spots with four different types of vehicles. A Toyota Prius Hybrid, Honda Civic, Ford Fusion and quad-cab Dodge Dakota.

Students, faculty and staff must register online with the WeCar website and apply for membership, providing the driver’s information and paying a $35 membership fee.

WeCar contacts approved members to schedule an orientation session and then distributes a membership card that gives 24-hour access to WeCar vehicles.

“When you get those membership cards, you go online to make a reservation and begin to rent a car from the locations where WeCar vehicles are,” Myers said. “Once you are done using the car, you can simply return it to the WeCar parking spots on campus and conclude the rental.”

Myers said rental fees vary depending on the car model. Hourly rates range from $8 to $12, and daily rates are $55 to $65.

Overnight rates are from $30 to $45. Rental fees cover gasoline and mileage costs up to the first 200 miles.

Additional charges of $0.45 per mile occur after the first 200 miles. Gas cards are found in the glove compartment, according to the website.

Sadie Kiser, early childhood education junior, said she didn’t have a car during the first few months of her freshman year and that the WeCar program would be a great idea for freshmen and international students who don’t have a car.

“I think the WeCar program OU is offering seem like it is definitely a convenient way for the students who do not own a car,” said Wai Sze Wong, international business and finance sophomore.

“I personally would like to try this program since I don’t have a car at the moment.”