COLUMBUS, June 26, 2018 – Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network, today announced a new partnership with the City of Columbus to bring its “wheels when you want them” membership service to area residents, businesses, visitors and students. Eight Zipcars are now available in on-street parking spots Downtown, as well as Short North, German Village and Weinland Park through the partnership.

“The City of Columbus is committed to exploring mobility options to move residents and visitors,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “Zipcar gives people the flexibility of using a car when they want. We are pleased to have the world’s leading car-sharing network serve as part of our future.”

The eight vehicles are available for reservation by the hour or by the day. The vehicles are parked in designated spots for convenient pick-up and drop-off and can be reserved in seconds on Zipcar’s mobile app, online or over the phone. Each reservation includes gas, insurance and 180 miles of driving per day, making it a great option for those looking for ways to save money on the high cost of car ownership. 

“Bringing Zipcar to America’s Opportunity City is the next step in our efforts to provide more sustainable mobility options to more people in more locations,” said Tracey Zhen, Zipcar president. “Our service enables easy, on-demand access to a vehicle without the high costs and hassles of owning one. We’re grateful to the Mayor for his commitment to enhancing mobility and improving sustainability.”

The launch in Columbus builds on the company’s success at The Ohio State University and John Glenn Columbus International Airport, where the company has been operating since March 2015. The company was eager to expand its presence to provide more residents and visitors with convenient access to wheels where they live, work and play. Zipcar members can reserve and drive any of the company’s vehicles in Columbus as well as more than 12,000 vehicles in the company’s global fleet.

“Residents win when more mobility options exist. It gives people more flexibility when choosing how to get to work, school, doctors’ appointments, or other activities,” said Michael Stevens, Chief Innovation Officer, the City of Columbus. “Car-sharing services will play an important role in two Smart Columbus projects, multimodal trip planning and mobility hubs. Both projects aim to provide residents with information about the mobility options that exist.”

Local businesses in Columbus can benefit from Zipcar’s presence through the Zipcar for Business (Z4B) program, which offers discounted driving rates Monday through Friday. The Z4B program helps businesses save money, meet environmental sustainability goals and reduce parking requirements by providing employees with access to Zipcar for business needs and other uses.

“As our great city continues to grow, we have to think creatively about our mobility options and car sharing provides an affordable alternative to owning a car and finding a place to park it,” said Councilmember Emmanuel V. Remy, City of Columbus.

“Car sharing services are an important parking demand management tool that will allow greater transportation options for Columbus’ neighborhoods,” said Robert Ferrin, Assistant Director of Public Service for Parking Services. “This is a great step forward in this endeavor.”

Prospective members can join the service online at www.zipcar.com and reserve on the Zipcar mobile app, online or over the phone.

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing network, driven by a mission to enable simple and responsible urban living. With its wide variety of self-service vehicles available by the hour or day, Zipcar operates in urban areas and university campuses in over 500 cities and towns across Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Iceland, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Zipcar offers the most comprehensive, most convenient and most flexible car-sharing options available. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR), a leading global provider of mobility solutions. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.

About City of Columbus

Columbus is the 14th largest city in the U.S. and the fastest growing economy in the Midwest. It is home to a diverse mix of 860,000 people spread over 223 square miles. Anchored by a rich history in transportation, logistics and business services, the Columbus region is also on the country’s leading edge with advanced industries such as retail and e-commerce, IT, cybersecurity and finance. Columbus is headquarters to 20 Fortune 1000 companies, with major facilities for many more. Top employers include the Ohio State University, Limited Brands and JP Morgan Chase.

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Media Contacts:

Katelyn Chesley
Public Relations Manager, Zipcar
[email protected]
617.678.7206 

Jeff Ortega
Assistant Director, Dept. of Public Service, City of Columbus
614.645.5181