good vs. bad

Look, I'm going to be blunt. Driving cars is bad for the environment. Transit is better. We all know this and we all (or maybe most of us) need a car from time to time. Laundry soap is a bitch to carry home.

If you live in Vancouver and a bunch of other cities you can have access to a car sharing program called Zip Cars OR you can have access to a car through the Co-Operative Auto Network. Now why would you choose one over the other and which one should you choose? Well, I'll be blunt. The Co-Operative Auto Network is the one you should choose and here's why. The Co-Op is, well, a co-op. That means the profits go back into the company. The Zip Car is a caplitalist venture. That means the profits are making someone rich. (Rumor has it the Zip Car people phoned up the Co-op and asked them how they did it and then started up Zip. Fuckers.)

Zip Cars

Extra Value Plan:
One-time $25 application fee.
Pre-pay $50/$75/$125/$250 (your monthly commitment) and get that much in driving.
Once your stash is used up, you pay as you go at discounted rates.
From $8.78/hour and $62.10/day (any 24-hour period), depending on the car model.

Occasional Driving Plan:
One-time $25 application fee.
Annual fee of $55. No deposit. No monthly commitment.
From $9.75/hour and $69/day (any 24-hour period), depending on the car model.

Perks:
Free Gas
Free Parking
Free Insurance
150 free km

Co-operative Auto Network (3 price points):

Full member Shares ($500, paid one time, refundable if you leave the Co-Op)
Associate Shares ($250, paid one time, refundable if you leave the Co-Op)

"All three price points charge $2.00 per hour (to a maximum of $24 daily) plus applicable admin and kilometre charges, which are:

• Higher Usage: $40.00 monthly admin fee and 18¢ for every kilometre driven.
• Moderate Usage: $15.00 monthly admin fee and 28¢ for every kilometre driven.
• Lower Usage: $6.25 monthly admin fee and 38¢ for every kilometre driven.

A special Excursion Rate may apply for trips of more than 72 hours.

Any trip lasting longer than 72 hours (3 days) MAY use a different pricing. It will be charged $40 daily (cars) or $50 daily (trucks and minivans) OR regular rates - whichever is MORE. The $40/$50 includes all fuel and kilometre charges. It is a minimum charge designed to mitigate any losses the co-op may sustain when a vehicle is out of the fleet for extended periods. Any day or portion over the 72-hour period will be charged $40/$50 per day."

Perks:
-Free Gas
-Free Parking
-Free Insurance/ maintenance
-Discounted car rental from 3 different car-rental agencies
-Discount on YMCA memberships
-eligible to sign up for extended health and dental benefits through Pacific Blue Cross
-eligible for the Employer Pass Program, which provides a 15% discount off monthly FareCards
-BCAA

I personally think the choice is crystal clear.