News

Zipcar expands car-sharing program

February 13, 2012

Zipcar, Inc, the world's leading car sharing network, has added service to more than 45 college and university campuses in the last year.

The company has launched car sharing at Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University, Rowan University, Southern Connecticut State University, Valparaiso University, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Missouri-Kansas City/Rockhurst University, University of Oregon, University of the Pacific and University of Wisconsin-Madison. This comes on the heels of 36 campuses launched near the start of the 2011-2012 school year, according to a company press release.

"Zipcar's University program continues to gain momentum," Scott Griffith, Zipcar chairman and CEO, said in the release. "We've been building our network of schools for the past decade and our extensive experience has helped us create and innovate a service that is easy, fun and cost effective for students. Our win-win partnership approach simultaneously helps universities reduce the costs and complexities of campus parking."

Griffith said several other factors are contributing to its success, including its alliance with Ford Motor Company, the "Students with Drive" grant program, its new Android mobile application and its "Reserve a Zipcar" Facebook application.

"With the great success and popularity of UMKC's student bus pass program and campus bike-share program, the addition of Zipcar is a logical next step in UMKC's mission to lead the way in exploring and implementing innovative and effective environmentally friendly programs to benefit our students, our community and our planet," said Robert Simmons, associate vice chancellor of administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

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 owning a car.

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