Although started only slightly more than 2 years ago, a new motoring lifestyle is slowly catching on.

With Singapore's high car prices, many are looking to other modes of transport especially taxis, albeit one of frustrated convenience during peak hours.

For many other non-car owners, they are opting for an alternative service for leisure in the evenings and on week-ends instead of buying a car, since they do not need a car on a daily basis.

Welcome to the age of Car Sharing in Singapore.

This relatively new car-sharing system offers a bifurcated form of renting cars. It is one that comes with the characteristics of a taxi service. One salient feature is its convenient availability at any time.

There are quite a few car-sharing companies now including Honda Diracc and NTUC Car Co-op.

We take a look at Honda Diracc.

This car sharing service provided by Honda Diracc only needs you to carry a smart card.

After opening the door with the card, key in your Pin in the car ...the car key pops out... turn the key...off you go on your trip.

This is the Honda Civic Hybrid, an environmentally friendly car with a 1.3 litre VTEC engine, which is the highlight of this convenient car- sharing service.

The car sharing service started by Honda ICVS Singapore 2 years ago at present has more than 1400 members and is even gradually extending its ports- designated parking lot.

Honda Diracc allows you to pick up and return the car at any port located at Golden Shoe Car Park, Market Street Car Park, Millenia Walk, Orchard Hotel, Park Mall, Raffles City, StarHub Centre, Tanjong Pagar, Temasek Tower, United Square, Wisma Atria and Changi Airport Terminal 2 (Limited Access Port).

In addition, members of Honda Diracc can use the car pool of NTUC Car Co-op, which has ports located at the heartlands.

The Convenience...

• Direct access to a car at any port without having to make any prior booking; just check availability of cars via SMS.
• Drive without a pre-determined return time.
• Honda Diracc has a unique relocation system to monitor cars availablity at all ports. Honda Diracc staff will drive cars to the empty port on receiving notice through the system that a port is empty
• Return the car at any of the port.
• Members do not have to top up petrol before returning the car.

Cost Effective...

It is cheaper than paying for a taxi; cost is about half that of traveling by a taxi based on a 20km distance assumption (go to their website for more information on the calculations) ...feels like a taxi as well because the time charge starts from $2 and $0.15/minute thereafter with a distance charge of $0.35/km
For weekday plans, this no membership fee offer will end on the March 31 2005.
Billed only once a month for what you have used to the precise time and distance.

To accomodate Honda Diracc members' needs, cars can also be taken overnight even through the week-ends at a time cap of $70 per day. For NTUC Car Co-op members, you will have to provide 24 hours notice.

Drivers who have a knack of driving to Malaysia for a week-end getaway will have to drive cars from NTUC Car Co-op, because use of cars are only limited to Singapore. You can drive to West Malaysia with NTUC Car Co-op if you provide in advance a notice of three days .

For more details, check out:
Honda Diracc- http://www.hondadiracc.com.sg
NTUC Car Co-op- http://www.carcoop.com.sg/