Partnering with Hertz Corp., the City of Santa Monica plans to offer a two-year pilot car-sharing program. According to the City of Santa Monica, preapproved car-sharing members will be able to make reservations online and access a fleet of self-service vehicles throughout the city. In addition, the city would provide at least 10 parking spaces for the car-sharing vehicles.

Anticipated to start this fall, the car-sharing program is a tool to meet the city’s Land Use and Circulation Element goal of no net new PM peak hour vehicle trips.

“The addition of a public car-sharing service in Santa Monica for visitors, residents and workers would facilitate choosing transit, biking, walking or carpooling for primary trips by offering the option of an automobile for trips where a vehicle is necessary,” according to the City of Santa Monica.

Rates for rental vehicles depend on the type of car, whether it is an hourly or daily rental and whether it is a weekday or during the weekend. According to the City of Santa Monica, an economy vehicle will cost $8 per hour during the week ($76 daily between Monday and Friday) and $10 per hour during the weekend ($90 daily on Saturday/Sunday). On the other end of the scale, a Mercedes would run at $15 per hour during the week ($135 – weekday daily) and $16.50 per hour on the weekend ($148.50 – weekend daily).

The two-year contract with Hertz provides the option to renew the car-sharing program for another three years, says the City of Santa Monica.