Brittany Manning and Annalise Bryant, both class of 2010, admire the Flexcar parked on the loop.
ATLANTA -- A silver-blue 2007 Honda Civic four-door hybrid Flexcar, parked at the north end of Agnes Scott College's “loop” main entrance, offers students one of several new transportation options.
If renting a car isn't necessary, a recent agreement with Emory University brings its environmentally friendly and free bus, the Cliff Bus, to campus for Agnes Scott use. Nearby MARTA buses and trains provide another way to get there.
The Flexcar is on hand when only private transportation will do. Bearing the company’s distinctive angular logo emblazoned across the driver’s-side rear door, the vehicle offers rental options for as little as 30 minutes or as much as couple of days.
The “Cliff” South DeKalb Shuttle bus travels the "Clifton Road corridor" from Emory University on North Decatur Road to Claremont Road into downtown Decatur. It stops at the MARTA bus stop on Candler Road in front of Winship Hall traveling southbound, and at Agnes Scott’s Candler Road parking lot on the northbound return.
To track buses along their routes, visit http://emory.transloc-inc.com/.
Cliff provides transportation alternatives for students, workers and members of the Atlanta-area community. All of the 58 Cliff shuttles are using alternative fuels – either biodiesel, natural gas or electricity. Biodiesel fuel is renewable, environmentally friendly and readily available at Emory University's many food-services kitchens.
"Students say they chose Agnes Scott for its proximity to so much that makes Atlanta a great place to live," said Michelle Hall, associate dean of students. "Being located in the city of Decatur means there are great restaurants, music and other fun events within walking distance, but if they want to reach amenities beyond Decatur, students have the Flexcar and other transportation options."
Public transportation such as the MARTA bus and train, only two blocks from the campus entrance, offer access for student events and outings. The Atlanta Outings program always uses MARTA, said Director of Student Activities Kristy Smith, adviser to the student-run Agnes Scott Programming Board.
"During this year's orientation of the class of 2011 first-year students took Atlanta excursions all across the city using MARTA and Cliff," Smith said. "We've found that our new students are using MARTA because they are comfortable and know the system. It was a good way for students to learn the MARTA transit system in a group together during orientation."
And when only a car will do, students use the Flexcar. "One new student rented the Flexcar with her mother when she came for orientation. They used it to go shopping for items to put in her residence hall room," Hall said.
“It contributes to ‘Scottie Spirit’ because it makes Atlanta accessible and gives students a means to enjoy the city with friends in an affordable, environmental way,” she added, referring to two criteria set out in the strategic plan recently approved by the Board of Trustees.
"This is the first time we've had such a transportation option on campus," Hall said. "Most college-age students aren't old enough to rent from a traditional rental car company, but Flexcar put this car here with Agnes Scott students particularly in mind."
Most Flexcar members can make reservations online as quickly as minutes ahead or as far down the line as a year. To pick up the car, customers wave a special "Flexcard" over the windshield card reader to unlock the doors.
If the Flexcar on the Agnes Scott College campus is not available, others are parked throughout the city of Decatur within easy walking distance from campus. More information about the Flexcar may be obtained by visiting www.Flexcar.com.
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