Here’s something for all of you car-deprived New Yorkers. Hertz is taking on Zip Car in the “car sharing” business – and there’s a new location on the Lower East Side. In an apparent first for a Manhattan co-op, Connect by Hertz, has made a deal with the Seward Park Co-op. on Grand Street. If you walk past the cooperative’s office on Clinton Street, you’ll notice two cars — a Prius and a Smart Car. They’re available for rental by anyone, not just Seward Park residents. There are hourly, daily and weekly rates.
Here’s how it works. You go on the Hertz by Connect web site and sign up for a membership. Once approved, you receive a key card and are able to reserve a car online or over the telephone. Hourly rates are $10. Zip Car does have pickup and dropoff locations in the neighborhood but (last time we checked) not in the immediate area around the Grand Street co-ops. The cars just arrived Tuesday – we’re told the smart car was rented for the first time this afternoon.
Seward Park Housing President Michael Tumminia said the deal signed with Hertz is part of the co-op’s energy conservation strategy. He added, “by having cars available at the co-op through Connect by Hertz, we are offering our residents an affordable and ‘green’ alternative to car ownership”.
Next month, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer will be coming to Grand Street to discuss other initiatives, including a push to reduce energy consumption at Seward Park, a complex with more than 1700 apartments.
For more information about Connect by Hertz, check out their web site.
