Zipcar, the car-sharing agency that covers approximately 70 universities nationwide, will begin service at Stanford within the next month, according to Adam Brophy, company director of operations for university markets.

“We are going to start with a few cars in the very near future,” Brophy said. “It’s sort of a soft launch, with a major launch after students return from their holiday breaks.”

The company, which was formed in 1999 after its founders were inspired by a car-sharing service in Berlin, currently serves tens of thousands of clients nationwide. In 2003, the company began expanding to college campuses.

“We know from experience that this [service] does work on university campuses,” Brophy said.

The process of reserving a Zipcar is fairly simple. Students register with the service online, after which they become “Zipsters.” They can then reserve a Zipcar online or by phone whenever a car is available on campus. A Zipster need only wave his or her “Zipcard” to the car’s windshield during the reservation time in order to unlock the vehicle.

According to Angus Davol, transportation demand management coordinator for the University, specific details regarding car selection and locations have not yet been determined.

“We don’t know many details yet,” Davol said. “I know that [Stanford] tried car sharing a couple of year ago. Recently we put out a request for proposals, and a number of companies put out bids. Zipcar was the winner.”

According to Brophy, Stanford Zipsters will pay a $35 annual fee, plus an hourly driving rate starting at $8, depending on the Zipcar used. Fuel and basic insurance are included in the cost. Zipsters must have a valid driver’s license that is at least a year old and consent to a driving record check, which cannot include any serious violations.

Universities register with the program for free, but must provide parking spots and basic maintenance such as oil changes and cleaning. The company also provides 24-hour roadside assistance.

Zipcar touts the environmental advantages associated with car sharing.

“Car sharing as a concept is a very environmentally-friendly alternative,” Brophy said. “Each one of our cars takes approximately 20 cars off the road, so that helps reduce total mileage and the effects of greenhouse gases.”

Zipcars on other college campuses include Honda Civics, Volkswagen Jettas and fleets of hybrid and electric cars. However, both Brophy and Davol said details were unclear regarding the car types that will be available at Stanford.

Student reactions to car sharing were varied.

“As a freshman the only time I ever felt concerned with not having a car was going on shopping runs,” said Barry Burns ‘09. “My entire social life was located on campus. I think something that would be more useful would be making the Shopping Express more accessible or something of that nature.”

Vasant Ramachandran ‘11 was open to the concept of car sharing.

“I would definitely consider using [Zipcar], primarily because it’s somewhat difficult to get off campus without a car,” he said. “It’s impractical to have a car freshman year, and you basically need a car to get anywhere out of the bubble.”

“I think it’s a great way to get around if you ever need to go to Palo Alto or Redwood City,” agreed Nick Murray ‘11. “It would be a great way to get around without riding your bike.”

Murray did have one concern, though.

“I would just be worried about safety. I hope students don’t drive those cars drunk.”