Weeks away from giving birth to her first child, Crystal Young-Otterstrom thinks about whether she and her husband need a second, larger car.
But the Salt Lake City resident hates the idea of paying for one. So she is going to share a Ford Escape Hybrid -- and 27 other cars -- with 480 drivers in the Salt Lake Valley.
U Car Share on Wednesday finished rolling out Utah's first car-sharing program. Members now can choose from 28 cars -- most are in Salt Lake City but there are two in Ogden and a few dot the TRAX line between Salt Lake City and Sandy -- and rent them for hourly rates. They reserve a car online, go to the chosen site and swipe an electronic card to get inside, where the keys are waiting.
"It's definitely exciting to have this other option," Young-Otterstrom says.
The 29-year-old lives and works downtown. Most of the time, one car is enough. But sometimes she and her husband both need it, or they need more cargo space than offered by their tiny Honda Fit.
"We actually just had this problem last week when we got an armoire in Sugar House," says Young-Otterstrom, development manager for Utah Symphony and Utah Opera. "It would not fit in the Honda Fit."
She borrowed a friend's truck but next time she will be better prepared: She can reserve a Ford F-150 online. She registered with U Car Share on Wednesday.
U-Haul introduced its U Car Share to the Wasatch Front in August with an initial 12 cars. Wednesday marked the delivery of the full 28 cars promised to Salt Lake City, Utah Transit Authority and the University of Utah. The three entities are providing designated parking stalls for the cars.
Most of the vehicles are fuel-efficient models or hybrids. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker said Wednesday the program offers an alternative to households that want to own fewer cars or none at all. It's also a way for transit riders to make trips that are not convenient by bus or train.
"This is an alternative that will improve air quality [and] increase the use of public transportation," Becker said. "Try this out."
Alma Allred, the University of Utah transportation director, said the program will provide cash-poor students an affordable way to drive, when needed. They also will get a rare commodity at the campus: reserved parking in prime spots at Presidents Circle, the Union Building, Rice-Eccles Stadium and the Heritage Center.
"I also like the name of the program: U Car Share," Allred joked. "The U should always be emphasized."
U-Haul offers car sharing in Portland and McMinnville, Ore.; Portland, Maine; Blacksburg, Va.; Madison, Wis.; Weston, Mass., and Berkeley, Calif.
Utah members can use the service at any of the national locations.
Young-Otterstrom is unsure when her first car-share trip will be. Then again, she might need to take a hybrid for a spin this weekend.
"Baby shopping," she explains.
Who » Licensed drivers, 18 years or older, with reasonably clean driving records and two years of experience behind the wheel.
Cost » A one-time enrollment fee of $25. Driving fees start at $4.95 per hour plus mileage (as low as 49 cents per mile). Rates are capped at $10 per hour. Insurance, gas and roadside assistance included.
Discount » The enrollment fee has been slashed to $5 until Jan. 15. Use the promotion code "CITYSHARE" at www.ucarshare.com.
Drive » Reserve a car online. Pick it up at one of 23 locations from Ogden to Sandy. Members are issued electronic cards to gain access to the vehicles. Return the car to a Car Share stall.
