Boise State University Partners With Zipcar to Offer an Environmentally Friendly and Cost-Efficient Transportation Option

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Boise State University launched a new partnership with Zipcar Inc., providing the campus with access to the world's leading car-sharing service. The environmentally friendly and cost-effective transportation option is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all students, faculty and staff members ages 18 and up and to community members 21 years and older.

Gas, 180 miles per day, insurance, reserved parking spots and roadside assistance are included in the hourly and daily Zipcar rates, making freedom, cost savings and helping the environment extremely easy for Boise State. Cars located at Boise State can be reserved for as short as an hour or for up to four days with rates starting as low as $8 per hour and $66 per day (24 hours).

The annual membership fee for anyone affiliated with Boise State is only $35 and Boise State applicants receive $35 worth of free driving credit that applies to their first month of driving. Free annual memberships will be offered to resident assistants. Boise State students, faculty, staff and community members can join at www.zipcar.com/boisestate.

"Traditionally, members of the Boise State community have been limited in where they are able to travel if they choose not to bring a personal car to campus," said Casey Jones, director of transportation and parking at Boise State. "We are excited to offer a car-sharing service that allows members of our community to run errands, attend meetings or get away for the weekend on a pay-as-you-go basis that is easy and convenient."

Zipcars are located in high demand areas around campus and can be easily reserved through one of Zipcar's six reservation systems with 24-hour access. Boise State will host four vehicles: two are located in the Liberal Arts parking lot and two are parked near the Towers residential hall. There is even a fun and functional iPhone app that Zipsters can use to reserve a car and honk its horn to locate and unlock the doors.

"We recognize that it's not always easy to make a more sustainable transportation choice, so our programs are designed to lower barriers to alternative transportation," said John Gardner, associate vice president for energy research, policy and campus sustainability at Boise State.  "Our partnership with Zipcar, along with our innovative partnership with Valley Regional Transit and planned programs to further encourage bicycle commuters, is just part of an ongoing comprehensive program to promote sustainable choices for our campus and members of the community."

Zipcar utilizes a network of local vendors to service and clean its fleet and has established partnerships with more than 200 universities, including University of Minnesota, University of California, Santa Cruz, Brown University and Arizona State University.

"It's often difficult and expensive for students to bring cars to campus. Our proven, car-sharing service and technology has been a perfect match for many universities across North America and the U.K. looking to provide a cost effective and convenient alternative to bringing a car to campus," said Matthew Malloy, vice president of global university operations at Zipcar. "The service provides a new level of freedom for students, faculty and staff.  Members can use Zipcars to run errands, attend meetings or get away for the weekend on a pay-as-you-go basis. You no longer need to own to be free."  

For more information about Zipcar at Boise State University, including how to join, visit: www.zipcar.com/boisestate.

About Zipcar

Zipcar operates in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car.

About Boise State University

Boise State is Idaho's metropolitan research university, located in the state's population center and capital city, a hub of government, business, the arts, health care, industry and technology. With more than 19,000 students from all 50 states and 65 countries, Boise State University's unprecedented growth is fueling big changes across campus, including new buildings and expanded degree programs. U.S. News and World Report listed Boise State as one of the top up-and-coming schools in the nation in 2009 and 2010.

Zipcar and the Zipcar logo are trademarks of Zipcar Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Zipcar