Lani Bevacqua and Paul Bennett were still living in Paris when they signed on with Philly CarShare.
The couple knows about alternative forms of transportation. They once lived on a sailboat for a year, then settled in Europe, where they started a family and a company providing walking tours.
Their 1992 Saab was waiting for them back home.
In July, when they moved to an apartment off Pine Street, Bevacqua and Bennett used the car to shuttle back and forth from Ikea.
"We started to think what a waste of money it was," Bevacqua says. "I ran the numbers. Something was wrong with the transmission and the air conditioning. I realized it would cost $1,000 for maintenance and yearly stuff and insurance. Not putting in gas in it. Just having the keys."
Without a car, a Center City family of five such as theirs would have to be highly organized and extremely motivated to reconnoiter a Saturday afternoon outing to Clark Park in West Philadelphia.
Last weekend, Bevacqua and Bennett demonstrated how it's done.
Three car seats were lined up by the front door in their small brick rowhouse.
"I'll be right back," Bennett said, setting out down Lombard Street.
He thought the car was parked at 21st Street but couldn't find it. So he took out his iPhone and speed-dialed Philly CarShare.
"Well," he sheepishly told the customer-service representative, "I'm not actually in it. I'm looking for it. Oh . . . 20th and Lombard? A parking garage on the north side? Great! Thanks very much."
Two minutes later, he found the burgundy Scion, his to use for the next two hours for a total of about $10.
He parked next to the house. Bevacqua and the kids - Cleo, 3, Stella, 5, and Jade, 7 weeks - spilled forth. As he snapped them into car seats, Cleo turned to her mother.
"Is this car new, Mommy?"
Bevacqua laughed. "It's new to us!"
Fleet: 450 cars, about half hybrids.
Members: 33,000.
Cost: There are several options and varying rates for businesses and residents.
It is free to join. All plans offer one free hour a month in a hybrid, free gas, reserved parking, and $1 million insurance coverage, and charge 9 cents a mile.
With free membership, the weekday rates are $4.90 per hour or $49 per day, and weekends are $6.90 per hour or $59 per day.
With a $15-a-month membership fee, weekdays are $2.90 per hour or $29 per day, and weekends are $4.90 per hour or $49 per day.
Eligibility: A valid license with a clean driving record for at least two years. "Clean" meaning none of the following: major moving violations, vehicular manslaughter, excessive moving violations, reckless driving or DUI.
However, 18- to 20-year-olds must have a perfectly clean record.
Insurance: In the event of an accident, there is a $500 deductible, but an option for a zero deductible.
