 |
|
||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
Zipcar and Arlington County, VA Partner in a Unique Program to Reduce Demand for Privately-Owned Automobiles
WASHINGTON, DC—(4/18/04)—Zipcar And Arlington County To Provide Free Personal And Business Memberships. Zipcar To Introduce Nine Different Car Models For Work And Play. Coming off a year in which it increased its membership more than 350% in the Greater Washington DC metro area, Zipcar, a leader in providing urban residents and workers instant access to a diverse fleet of cars for use by the hour, has been chosen to participate in the Arlington (VA) Carshare Pilot Project Program.This model program is designed to encourage the use of public transportation, walking and biking to get around town with Zipcars providing the missing link in the urban transit system. Ceremonies to officially launch the program are scheduled on March 23. Zipcars will be available and easily accessible throughout the Rosslyn- Ballston corridor with permanent on-street parking, marked with bright orange sign posts. Arlington County Commuter Services and Zipcar will provide free memberships to people who live or work in Arlington County. Currently there are more than 600 Zipcar members living and working in Arlington County. To support the new program, Zipcar will triple its Arlington County fleet in five new locations with new models that include: Toyota's Scion XA and XB, Tacoma pick up truck and Matrix; as well as Honda's Accord and Element; and the Mini Cooper. Arlington County members will also have access to Zipcars in more than 50 locations throughout the metro Washington area as well as hundreds of Zipcar locations in the Boston and New York metropolitan areas. According to Arlington County officials, the initiative provides people the ability to live, work, shop and play in the County's urban villages without having to own a car or a second car while at the same time offering easy access to automobiles when other forms of transportation may not meet their needs. Studies confirm that each self-serve rental car replaces 7-10 privately owned vehicles thus decreasing the demand for urban parking spaces and, at the same time, reducing traffic, noise and pollution. Zipcar has membership programs for both individuals and businesses, and it is expected that the Arlington County Zipcar fleet will be used by the local business community in lieu of traditional rental cars or private, employee-owned vehicles. Zipcar provides a fun, cost-effective and convenient alternative for work and leisure transportation. Patent-pending wireless technology and the power of the Internet make accessing and using a Zipcar as simple and seamless as getting cash from an ATM. Arlington County Commuter Services and Zipcar are teaming up to provide introductory incentives for residents as well as for those who work in the city which includes a waiver of the application fee plus additional driving credit. Zipcar hourly rates begin at $7.50 with maximum daily rates starting at $50.00. Unlike traditional car rental companies, the all-inclusive price covers gas, insurance, dedicated parking and mileage. "This program demonstrates that Arlington County is at the forefront in the utilization of self-serve, on-demand cars, and we expect this program to serve as a model to other municipalities that wish to reduce the reliance on privately-owned cars" explained Zipcar President and CEO Scott Griffith. "We believe that Zipcar is about improving the quality of life in urban areas and this program demonstrates the potential to achieve just that." The Washington metro, Zipcar fleet is comprised of 18 different types of vehicles, from convertibles and station wagons to pickup trucks and SUV's. Zipcar's also include specialty vehicles including the Prius gas-electric hybrid and the BMW 3 series. For additional information about the Arlington County Commuter Services program, log onto www.zipcar.com/arlington or www.commuterpage.com/carshare or call 866/4 Zipcar. |
 |
|
|
|