City’s Partnership with Zipcar to Offer Car-Sharing

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Today, the City of Raleigh launched a partnership with Zipcar, Inc., the world’s leading car-sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car-sharing program. The program offers convenient transportation options at an affordable rate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to those age 21 and over. Students at North Carolina State University and Meredith College also have access to the vehicles.

To join, residents must pay a $25 application fee along with an annual $50 fee. Rates on Zipcar vehicles are as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. Members will receive $50 in driving credits when they join (the offer expires December 31, 2013). Gas, insurance, reserved parking spots, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates. The cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days.

"This will be an important asset for our transit, bicycle, and pedestrian commuters,” said David Eatman, City of Raleigh Transit administrator. "If someone needs to run an errand or attend an appointment these vehicles are invaluable. They will also be a huge asset for our growing residential community in Downtown Raleigh."

The City of Raleigh will initially offer two vehicles, a Ford Focus and a Toyota Prius, which will be located in Downtown Raleigh on Glenwood Avenue at Lane Street. Zipcars are available on-demand and can be reserved and accessed at any time.

Members with smart phones, including iPhones and Android devices, can download the Zipcar mobile application to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles, and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle. Members can also use Zipcar’s “Reserve a Zipcar” app on Facebook to view available Zipcars and make or alter reservations from their Facebook account. Reservations can also be made over the phone or on Zipcar’s website.