Zimride by Enterprise Receives Verizon 2016 Supplier Recognition Award for Sustainability

ST. LOUIS, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimride by Enterprise, a service of Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the largest web-based ridesharing and carpooling network in North America, today announced it has received the Verizon 2016 Supplier Recognition Award in the Green/Sustainability category.

Zimride was recognized for its overall sustainable business focus as well as its partnership with Verizon's carpooling program, Verizon Commuter Connections. As a sustainable alternative to driving individually, Zimride users reduce vehicle emissions and fuel consumption through shared rides.

Verizon employees began using Zimride for ridesharing and carpooling needs in October 2015 across six United States locations. Since its launch, adoption of the Zimride program has grown to encompass more than 118 Verizon locations in 32 states, with nearly 1,500 users and more than 900 rides posted.

"Our partnership with Zimride was one of the smoothest launches of any vendor project that we've implemented," said Jim Gowen, Chief Sustainability Officer for Verizon. "Our employees have embraced the Zimride program as an affordable and sustainable workplace commuting option, resulting in rapid adoption across our U.S. network. In fact, we surpassed our first-year goal for this initiative within the first six months of its launch!"

According to Verizon, the use of Zimride has helped employees reduce their carbon emissions by more than 300,000 pounds.

The Verizon Supplier Recognition Awards are given to companies that support Verizon's commitment to excellence across a number of categories. The Green/Sustainability award recognized Zimride for sharing Verizon's standards for sustainability and for going above and beyond to launch the Verizon Commuter Connections program. Zimride's support of the program was highlighted for creating an easy implementation process, meeting Verizon's time frame and goals for the project ahead of schedule, fostering positive user experiences among employees and connecting the program to Verizon's "Work Green. Live Green." motto.

"This award reflects the strong partnership we've built with Verizon and our shared commitment to long-term corporate sustainability," said Ryan Johnson, vice president overseeing Enterprise's CarShare, Rideshare and Zimride operations. "By establishing Zimride's leading ride-matching technology across Verizon corporate campuses, we've enabled more employees to easily take advantage of this highly efficient and effective service."

For the next phase of the Verizon Commuter Connections program, Verizon will be adding designated parking spaces for Zimride members to reward them for their participation. Later this year, Verizon will also dedicate a month to sustainable commuting, hosting a variety of webinars, quizzes and contests about the company's sustainable transportation options, including Zimride.

Driving Sustainable Solutions

Enterprise has been delivering transportation alternatives right where people live and work since 1957. Forty years later, Enterprise Rent-A-Car trademarked the term Virtual Car^®, after recognizing the strength and energy of local service, regardless if it is for an hour, a day, a week or longer. This intuitive neighborhood business model now features a wide variety of sustainable transportation solutions like vanpooling, car sharing and ride matching – which not only helps reduce the number of vehicles on the road, but also the overall number of vehicles in corporate fleets.

Enterprise continues to play a leadership role in driving responsible business practices and helping the travel industry explore new and sustainable frontiers. The company's sustainability initiatives are documented on the Enterprise Holdings corporate website as well as its fiscal-year 2015 report, The Business of Sustainability. The report was prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 "Core" Guidelines, which help businesses like Enterprise benchmark and communicate their impacts on critical topics and key issues. Enterprise Holdings is the only company in the international car rental industry – and one of a handful in the global travel industry – to complete a sustainability report in accordance with GRI Guidelines.

For more information about Zimride by Enterprise, visit www.zimride.com. 

About Zimride by Enterprise

The largest web-based ridesharing and carpooling network in North America, Zimride serves customers through a private network of more than 130 universities and corporate campuses. Other transportation services marketed under the Enterprise brand name include Enterprise CarShare, Enterprise Rideshare, Enterprise Car Sales, Enterprise Truck Rental, Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise and Enterprise Flex-E-Rent.

This press release and car rental industry news are available in the Enterprise Holdings Press Room.

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SOURCE Zimride by Enterprise