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No taxi?

No problem.

Zipcar has arrived on campus.

Allegheny College on Tuesday will launch a new partnership with Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car sharing program on campus for students, faculty and staff ages 18 and older.

Allegheny members can join the on-demand car sharing program for $15 this year; rates for the Zipcars start as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 a day. After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $25. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in the rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days. Allegheny students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/allegheny.

Dean of Students Kimberly Ferguson said Allegheny is responding to students’ needs in entering the partnership. Students want and sometimes need to venture beyond Meadville and some do not have ready access to affordable, reliable transportation, she said.

“Having had the experience working with Zipcar at another institution, it just seemed like a great fit to give students a bit more freedom to go where they want to go on their own time schedule,” Ferguson said.

Zipcar is the “total package” in that gas, insurance and mileage are included in the rates, she said.

“It’s a wonderful solution for students and families who are looking for something that is cost effective,” Ferguson said.

Student members save an average of about $20 per month compared to owning a car, according to a recent study conducted by Zipcar and UC Berkeley, which gives students and families more money to put toward books, tuition or housing. And it improves quality of life, giving students the freedom to go where they want, when they want. Car sharing is also environmentally beneficial: The study shows that 30 percent of students would have brought a car to campus if Zipcar wasn’t available, reducing congestion and parking demands.

Allegheny initially will offer two vehicles, a Ford Focus and a Honda Civic, for members. The cars have designated parking spots behind Reis Hall.

Members with iPhones and Android devices can download the Zipcar mobile app to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles, and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle. Reservations also can be made by phone or on Zipcar’s website.

“The Zipcar program on campus gives students, faculty and staff the freedom of using a car without the hassle of owning one,” said Katelyn Bushey, Zipcar director of university sales. “We’re happy to partner with Allegheny College, to give their community a transportation option to fit their needs and their wallet.”

Zipcar has established relationships with more than 500 universities across North America. For more information and to become a member of Zipcar at Allegheny, visit www.zipcar.com/allegheny.