A new car-sharing program will begin operating in Salt Lake City next month.

U Car Share will offer hourly and daily rentals for Salt Lakers who want to take longer trips without having to own an automobile.

The program will begin with a modest 20 cars, including three cars at the intermodal hub, one at the 1300 South TRAX stop and four at the University of Utah.

"That'll be great for students who are from out of state," said Salt Lake City Councilman Van Turner on Tuesday. "It would be nice to be able to get a car on Sunday and go somewhere. It's got a lot of possibilities."

After paying a $50 one-time fee, drivers can reserve cars online. Rates will run between $8 and $12 an hour. Drivers must be 18 or older and pass an extensive driving-record background check.

Looking to cut down on vehicle miles traveled, the city is set to provide U Car Share with a handful of free parking spots around town to help promote the program.

U Car Share is a subsidiary of U-Haul. The company runs car-sharing programs in Portland, Ore., Berkley, Calif., Madison, Wis., and Portland, Maine.

Salt Lake City is also working on a bike-sharing program, officials said.

— Aaron Falk