Zipcar To Offer Car Sharing On Campus

Texas A&M University has launched a new partnership with Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, to offer a car-sharing program on campus. The new convenient transportation option was showcased during the university’s 7th Annual Campus Sustainability Day fair.

“Our mission is to provide efficient, dynamic and innovative transportation services to the community here at Texas A&M. By implementing the car sharing program we are continuing in our efforts to offer students the ability to not need a car on campus and to provide our customers with sustainable and cost-effective transportation options on campus,” said Executive Director Peter Lange of Transportation Services.

Texas A&M offers six vehicles, including the Ford Focus, Ford Escape, Nissan Versa and Kia Forte models. The Zipcars have designated parking spots located throughout campus for convenient pick-up and return.

This year, Texas A&M members who were enrolled in the previous car-sharing program can join free of charge. New members can enroll for $15, with rates for Zipcar vehicles on campus starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $25. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days.

Students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/tamu.
Transportation Services officials note that participating members with smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, may download the Zipcar mobile application to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle.

Reservations can also be made over the phone or on Zipcar’s website.

“Zipcar is a way for students, faculty and staff to meet their transportation needs without the hassle of owning a car,” said Katelyn Bushey, Zipcar director of university sales. “We’re excited to bring that capability to Texas A&M University through this new partnership.”

With the new Zipcar program available on campus, student organizations also now have the opportunity to participate in the “Students with Drive” grant program sponsored by Zipcar and Ford Motor Company, which provides students with Zipcar membership and driving credit to support student organizations on campus.

Through the Students with Drive grant program, Ford and Zipcar will provide $200,000 in grants to be awarded to student organizations at eligible Zipcar colleges and universities. The program is running now through April 2016 and will culminate with a grand prize worth $25,000 in scholarships, cash, and Zipcar driving. For more information and to participate in the program, students can visit www.zipcar.com/studentswithdrive.

Zipcar has established relationships with more than 400 universities across North America. For more information and how to become a member of Zipcar at TAMU, visit www.zipcar.com/tamu. Additional information and promotions can also be found by following @ZipcarU on Twitter.