College Now Comes with a Set of Wheels for More than Three Million Students as Zipcar Expands

BOSTON, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipcar, Inc. the world's leading car sharing network, is launching service on 23 new colleges and universities this fall, bringing the total of campuses across the United States and Canada that offer Zipcar to nearly 350. Now, more than three million students have access to "wheels when you want them" with a touch of their smartphone for as little as $7.50 per hour, with gas, insurance and 180 miles per day included.

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"Zipcar offers universities a double benefit – a convenient service desired by students and one that also offers economic and environmental dividends to the university," said Mark Norman, Zipcar's president. "With the continued growth of the Zipcar University program, we are helping meet the transportation needs of students and helping colleges and universities reduce parking demand."

In addition to the nine campuses launched in the spring semester, Zipcar has launched  new car sharing programs on the following campuses this fall: Clarion University, Coastal Carolina University, Georgia Southern University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Kean University, Kettering University, Lewis and Clark College, Richard Stockton College, Springfield College, St. John's University, Texas State University, University of Hartford, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and State College, PA. Zipcar expects to launch at additional schools before the end of the calendar year.

"It is important for university leaders to embrace, encourage, and participate in sustainable measures on campus," said Jeri Baker, director of Transportation Services at University of Massachusetts at Amherst. "Launching Zipcar on campus this fall was a welcome addition to our mix of transportation resources and choices – a mix that is increasingly mindful of the environmental and economic impact of those choices on our community and region."

Students today have access to a wide range of transportation options - including bike sharing, ride sharing, public transit and more. Zipcar complements these services with a convenient, cost-effective and sustainable car sharing solution for a variety of trip types. According to a recent Zipcar University member survey, 70 percent of respondents report relying on Zipcar for at least one trip per month.  As a part of Zipcar's global network, members over 21 years old have access to more than 10,000 Zipcar vehicles throughout the US, Canada, the UK, Spain and Austria.

While Zipcar continues to grow as a smart mobility solution for students on campus, the service also translates to a key part of the robust transportation arsenal for the many that move off campus or to cities post-graduation. Nearly 60 percent of surveyed students report that they plan on moving to a city with Zipcar service after college.

"The introduction of the Zipcar program a little over two years ago has enabled the university to become more sustainable within the midtown area. Zipcar has been a great tool utilized by many campus residents who don't own a car," said Jon Frederick, director of parking and transportation services at Wayne State University. "This affordable and convenient program allows students, faculty and staff, as well as community members of Detroit to easily get around the campus and the city. With such a wide dependency as seen here at Wayne State University it only makes sense that Zipcar has flourished in other parts of the Detroit area as well."

This year, Thanks to Zipcar's continued alliance with the Ford Motor Company, the annual membership fee for individuals at participating colleges and universities is $25, and rates on the vehicles start as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day (24 hours), which includes access to more than 30 makes and models of vehicles. The Zipcar hourly and daily rates include gas, 180 miles of travel per day, insurance, reserved parking spots and roadside assistance. Students at participating universities can join today by visiting www.zipcar.com/universities.  

About Zipcar
Zipcar, the world's leading car sharing network, has operations in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for smart, simple and convenient solutions to their urban and campus transportation needs. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR), a leading global provider of vehicle rental services. More information is available at www.zipcar.com. 

SOURCE Zipcar, Inc.