Kent State will enter a partnership with car-sharing service Zipcar, Inc., on Jan. 15, which will give Kent State students and staff 18 and older a convenient new transportation option. The service will also be available to Kent city residents 21 and older.

According to a press release, there initially will be four cars offered for use: two Ford Focus 2014 vehicles, a Toyota Prius and a Kia Soul. The community will be able to reserve and access the vehicles 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The initial membership fee will be $25, and rates for the vehicles will start at $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. Gas, insurance, a reserved parking spot and up to 180 miles of driving a day are included in the fees. After one year of membership, members will be required to pay a yearly membership fee of $35.

A representative from Zipcar will be on the second floor of the Student Center on Jan. 15 and 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to introduce the car-sharing service and answer questions.

Contact Anthony Hill at [email protected].