What do you do?
If you have a friend who has a pickup - well, it's your lucky day. If you don't, more often than not, those chores get left undone or you fork out extra cash to hire a mover.
It's called MUD Missoula Truck Share, and for an hourly rate of $5, some sundry fees and a $30 annual membership, you can rent the nonprofit's 1991 Nissan King Cab truck.
The vehicle was donated to MUD last fall, and the organization's board of directors has since been working on how to fit the truck into MUD's tool library. Research of 47 vehicle shares throughout North America gave some guidance, and what was hammered out is the following arrangement, according to Lou Ann Crowley, MUD executive director:
Truck Share is designed to be affordable, accessible and self-sustaining. To that end, prices reflect the fact that MUD has taken on the insurance burden of the truck, meaning those who rent it don't necessarily have to have personal auto insurance.
Here's the fee structure for the program: Annual membership, $30; one-time application fee, $25; hourly rental, $5; cost per mile, 45 cents; key deposit, $20; late fee, $20; returned in dirty condition, uncleaned, $20.
To qualify for the truck rental, a person must be a member of MUD, have a good driving record, and be at least 21 years old. The truck can be reserved 24 hours in advance Monday through Friday by calling MUD at 721-7513.
Renters will be issued a key to the truck along with a copy of their signed use agreement.
Montana is now the 21st state in the country to have vehicle-sharing program, Crowley said.
“We know from seeing our members carry things that they could use this service,” Crowley said. “When the opportunity came our way, we decided we couldn't pass it up.”
“Once we make an income on this, we hope we can expand the program and add a car,” she said. “It's pretty exciting.”
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com
Get truckin'
To learn more about the Missoula Urban Demonstration Project's Missoula Truck Share program, call MUD at 721-7513.
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