Paris launches self-service car hire network.

Reuters 2011-12-04

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This car, with its odd paint job, is more than your typical rental.
It's actually part of a bold experiment in public transportation going on now in Paris.
The car - which is powered by an electric motor - can be rented by the hour from kiosks that dot the French capital.
The idea is to give Parisiens bent on driving an eco-friendly, and cheap, way to get around the city.
The program, called Autolib, officially launches on Monday and already has its fans.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) PARISIAN AND POTENTIAL USER PIERRE, SAYING:
"It's an excellent complement to public transport. I used to have a car, a small SMART which I sold off because it's getting too complicated in Paris now. So I use public transport, and for me this is an excellent complement. When I have to go shopping and get some bulky stuff."
The concept of pay-as-you-drive cars comes amid a growing trend to "share" transport.
That's something advocates say will save drivers from spending thousands on a car - while still giving them the freedom to hit the open road.
Andrew Raven, Reuters

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