With the price of fuel on the rise and available parking on campus scarce, Vanderbilt Student Government and the Office of Traffic and Parking are teaming up to offer Zipcars, a vehicle loan service.

Zipcars allows students and faculty to rent cars for an hourly fee once they have become members. That amount, in addition to an annual fee, covers the expense of gas, insurance and use of the vehicle.

"A lot of students don't have cars on campus, and Zipcars are a real practical solution to provide those students with a form of transportation," said Speaker of the Senate Fabiani Duarte.

To become members, students and faculty can visit the company's Web site and submit to a quick background and driving record check. Once approved, they will be able to reserve a vehicle and then access it with their electronic membership card.

Currently there are five Zipcars located on campus, with a range of styles and rental rates. If there is a high demand for the vehicles, Zipcars "may provide additional cars within two to three weeks," said Manager of Traffic and Parking Lance Hale.

The official launch of the program will be Wednesday, Aug. 28, when students will be able to meet with representatives to learn more details about rental fees, insurance policies and how to activate memberships. Informational events will be held at the Commons from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at the Student Life Center from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"We look forward to the students being very receptive to this initiative, and hope that this program will grow in the future," said Hale.