BURLINGTON, Vt. (Dec. 15, 2008) - CarShare Vermont's founders and partners gathered in front of Burlington City Hall on Monday to celebrate the launch of a new short-rental car-sharing program organizers say will help reduce the need for individual ownership of a car in Burlington.

The fleet of eight Toyota Prius and Subaru Imprezas were decked out in red ribbons and bows for the official unveiling of the new practical and affordable transportation option.

Annie Bourdon, executive director of CarShare Vermont said Burlington is one of the first communities of its size to embrace the car-sharing program that Champlain College, Vermont Energy Investment Corp. and the University of Vermont supported financially.

Champlain College purchased two cars and is leasing them to CarShare for $1 a year, the two Imprezas will be parked at Champlain College.

"Champlain College is very proud to participate in this program and once the program is underway will be providing two of these vehicles with on-site parking for the convenience of anyone who signs up for the service," said Carl Riden, assistant director of campus safety for Champlain.

According to AAA, it costs $5,592 a year to own a car, even if you rarely use it. Bourdon urged people to compare that to the CarShare Vermont annual membership of $150 and the low, hourly use rates.

Champlain College officials say it is another way to convince students they do not need to bring their own cars to campus where on-site parking is at a premium. It costs students, faculty and staff $100 a year for just a parking permit. "It's also a great service for anyone who may need the use of a car for errands or doctor's appointments," Riden added.

"Being a partner in this program fits perfectly with Champlain College's ongoing work to reduce its carbon footprint and encourage faculty, staff and students to take advantage of the bus and carpool options," according to Michel George, associate vice president of campus planning at Champlain College.

The four hybrid Toyota Priuses will be parked on city streets: one on North Winooski Avenue and one on Booth Street (both in the Old North End) and the others on Locust Street near Callaghan Park in the South End and another in downtown Burlington, while UVM will have two Subaru Imprezas on its campus.

The program hopes to double the number of available cars within a year, Bourdon said at the unveiling ceremony. Officials also unveiled the winners in the name-the-car contest and awarded one-year memberships (valued at $150) to the winners. Names ranged from Clovis to Otto to Dewey. A "birth-day" song celebrating the new program and cars was followed by the cutting for four, car-shaped chocolate cakes.

Champlain College was founded in 1878 and currently has nearly 2,000 undergraduate students. To learn more about Champlain College, visit www.champlain.edu.