Flexcar Expands Bay Area Car-Sharing Program
PALO ALTO, Calif.--Oct. 29, 2002--Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest car-sharing company, today announced it has expanded its Bay Area operations by introducing its neighborhood-based program in the city of Palo Alto.Including the 13 vehicles currently in use as part of Flexcar's station-car program at the California Avenue Caltrain station, Flexcar now has 18 shared cars in Palo Alto. The company also named Rod Diridon, Jr. as general manager and Michael Pendergast as business development and sales manager for the regional office.
Specific vehicle locations are as follows:
| -- | Foundation for Global Community at 222 High Street - 1 vehicle |
| -- | Homer & Waverly City Parking Lot - 2 vehicles |
| -- | Mike's Bikes at 2180 El Camino Real - 1 vehicle |
| -- | California Avenue Caltrain station - 13 vehicles |
Flexcar currently operates a station-car program at the California Avenue Caltrain Station in Palo Alto. Formerly known as CarLink II, this program allows sets of commuters to share cars. In the morning, in-bound commuters pick up a car for office use during the day, returning it to the station in the evening. In the evening, a Palo Alto resident commuter picks up the same vehicle for personal use during the evening and weekends. Today's announcement marks the first expansion of the program beyond the station-car model and into a neighborhood model.
Flexcar's innovative neighborhood-based car-sharing program provides members with access to a fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles, including gas-electric hybrids and electric cars, located throughout selected metropolitan areas. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance and maintenance. Members access the cars via a specially coded Smartcard, and pay hourly or monthly for use of the vehicles. Flexcar does not require security deposits or dues to participate in its program.
Palo Alto Vice-Mayor Dena Mossar, who joined Flexcar at a special event held at the Foundation for Global Community headquarters, expressed her support for car-sharing. "Car-sharing programs can be an attractive option for people who only need a car occasionally. We continue to look for innovative ways to combat congestion and pollution while also addressing parking issues, so we support programs like Flexcar."
Used in conjunction with public transit, car/vanpools and walking/biking, car-sharing helps individuals meet their transportation needs in an economic and environmentally responsible manner, giving them the freedom of car ownership without the associated cost and hassles. Studies of member behavior in Flexcar's other operating regions, including Washington, D.C., Portland, Ore., and Seattle show that many members take fewer trips, drive fewer miles, combine their trips with public transit and in some cases sell a car or avoid buying one. As a program grows, this beneficial impact on communities and the environment becomes more significant.
"Car-sharing is one of those simple, but powerful ideas that can have a big impact on congestion and the environment," said Neil Peterson, Flexcar's President and CEO. "It's practical, convenient and our members recognize and appreciate the fact that they are making a difference."
Peterson has a unique knowledge of the transportation and environmental challenges facing the region, having previously run the Alameda/Contra Costa Transit District.
Flexcar also named Rod Diridon, Jr. as general manager of the Bay Area Region and Michael Pendergast as business development and sales manager. Flexcar's local office phone number is 408/996-FLEX (3539) and its email address is info_bayarea@flexcar.com. People interested in becoming members of Flexcar can join online by visiting the company's Website at www.flexcar.com.
Following a successful European model, Flexcar launched its Seattle operations in 2000, and has since won numerous awards and commendations for its program that reduces congestion, air pollution and energy use, while increasing use of public transportation and contributing to sustainable communities.
Flexcar
Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 7,500 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in 5 states and the District of Columbia. With flexible pricing plans, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork, paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar's modern fleet includes sedans, gas-electric hybrids, electric cars and specialty vehicles including pickups and convertibles. Flexcar has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro Transit, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Parsons Transportation Group and American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar, Flex Car or Flexicar.
