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Zipcar Marks One Year Bay Area Anniversary
with Record 5,000 Members and Commitment to Expand
Zipcar pledges to double Bay Area fleet as new survey proves Zipcar
provides environmental and financial benefits for urban communities
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (October 16, 2006) —
Zipcar, the Bay Area's largest car sharing service, marked its one
year anniversary today, announcing that it has attracted 5,000 Bay Area
car sharing members – a record for both Zipcar and the industry
during a first year of operation. As a result of the quick adoption of
the service and increased demand, Zipcar also announced a commitment to
double its Bay Area fleet of 200 vehicles during the next 12 months.
In honor of its one-year anniversary in the Bay Area, Zipcar conducted
an opt-in survey of Bay Area members to determine how access to Zipcars
has changed urban life and driving habits. Among the findings:
- 5% said that they have postponed or canceled purchasing a vehicle
because they are involved in car sharing.
- 81% said the costs and hassles of car ownership were "Major
Factors" in deciding to join Zipcar.
- Zipcar estimates that each vehicle it puts on the road eliminates
more than 20 privately owned vehicles from San Francisco streets. San
Franciscans' demand for car sharing exceeds the national average,
and Zipcar estimates that with quick growth and expansion, it will remove
tens of thousands of personally owned cars from the Bay Area.
- Nearly half of members walk and use public transit more often than
before joining Zipcar.
- Bay Area Zipcar members report they save an average of $4,500 per
year compared to the average cost of owning and operating a car in the
city, money that is likely to be spent locally.
- Members are driving 50% fewer vehicle miles traveled (VMT's)
than when they owned their own vehicle, contributing to a significant
reduction of CO2 emissions.
"By car sharing instead of owning a car, San Francisco residents
help save the environment," said Jared Blumenfeld, Director of San
Francisco's Department of the Environment. "Car sharing helps reduce
traffic congestion and improve air quality."
"Doubling our fleet during the next 12 months will enable us to
serve more San Franciscans and take more personally owned cars off our
streets," said Daniel Shifrin, Regional Vice President of Zipcar.
"Zipcar is a proven part of the transportation mix. As we continue
to grow, and residents and business owners take a look at the cost and
hassle of owning a car in their neighborhood, we expect to see many more
San Francisco car owners become car sharers."
Since its September 2005 launch, Zipcar has grown to be the Bay Area's
largest car sharing service, attracting more than 5,000 members, 90% of
whom had never used car sharing prior to Zipcar. By providing 200 cars
in 110 locations, Zipcar provides a convenient and affordable alternative
to car ownership by including the costs of gas, insurance, reserved parking and
maintenance in low hourly and
daily rates.
About Zipcar
With 75,000 consumer and business drivers, Zipcar is North America's largest
car sharing service. The company currently operates over 2,000 vehicles
in 12 states and provinces, including metropolitan New York, Boston, Chicago,
San Francisco, Minneapolis, Toronto, and Washington, DC. With Zipcar's award-winning
technology, accessing and using a Zipcar is as easy as getting cash from
an ATM. In minutes or up to a year in advance, members can reserve Zipcars
online or by phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Zipcar members have
automated access to any Zipcar across North America using a "Zipcard"
to simply unlock the door and drive away. With Zipcar, gas, parking and
insurance are always included. For more information, visit www.zipcar.com.
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