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Beginning March 18, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority passengers will have more opportunities to rent automobiles to drive between stations and home or work. The agency this week expanded its car-sharing program by offering 21 cars at 15 stations, up from the original eight stations.



WMATA in December launched the program, which is operated by Flexcar and makes available 24/7 a limited number of cars for customers to rent hourly. The cars are kept at or near stations.



The seven stations joining the program include Anacostia, College Park-University of Maryland, Columbia Heights, Grosvenor-Strathmore, McPherson Square, New Carrollton, and Vienna/Fairfax-GMU stations. Officials believe the placement of car-sharing locations ensures that all the jurisdictions WMATA serves will have access to the program.



Since the program’s launch, more than 550 residents have submitted membership applications. Members pay a monthly fee that covers a set number of hours and miles, and includes gasoline and insurance. When they want to use one of the four-door Honda Civics, members call an 800 number to reserve a car at one of the designated stations.



The agency expects to have 100 cars available by year-end; 200 by the end of 2003.