The University of Maryland is the latest US university to sign up to the Connect by Hertz car sharing scheme. Students and staff will now be able to rent a car by the hour or by the day once they have been approved for membership.

Members of the Connect by Hertz scheme will have access to three models of car – a Ford Escape, a Toyota Prius and a Mini Cooper. The idea is that those wishing to use a car for a specific reason can now simply pick one up on campus and go. The scheme is also meant to make it easier for students to car-pool to and from the main campus.

Senior vice president of global sales at Hertz Bob Stuart said that he was extremely pleased to welcome the University of Maryland to the group of universities already taking advantage of Connect by Hertz. He said that students and staff are quickly seeing the benefits of car-sharing and trust the product that Hertz is providing.

All who sign up as members of Connect by Hertz during April will have their membership fees waived. Application fees for those at the University of Maryland will also be waived for the first six months.

In order to qualify for the scheme, applicants must be over the age of 18-years and hold a clean driver’s licence. Proof of address and a credit or debit card are also required. Rates for vehicle hire start at $8 per hour and $62 per day.