CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipcar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIP), the world's leading car sharing network, is adding dozens of new schools to its popular University program this fall, and now offers campus car sharing at more than 300 colleges and universities throughout North America. Zipcar continues to be the leading choice for car sharing programs among colleges and universities, and the combination of benefits Zipcar provides – cost savings, convenience and fun for students, along with practical and cost saving options for universities— is helping drive the rapid expansion of Zipcar on campuses across the country.

"Zipcar's university programs are a powerful venue to introduce Millenials to Zipcar's category-leading mobility solution," said Mark Norman, Zipcar president and COO. "Students love the freedom and flexibility Zipcar provides on campus and the ability to continue their membership in leading cities around the world when they graduate, while universities choose Zipcar's leading brand and technology to deliver sustainable improvement in traffic congestion, parking requirements and emissions reduction on campus."

This fall, Zipcar is launching car sharing programs with Arcadia University, Austin Community College, Bentley University, College for Creative Studies, Georgetown University, Gonzaga University, James Madison University, Merrimack College, Michigan Tech University, Montclair State University, Morehouse College, Mount Holyoke College, Notre Dame de Namur University, Salve Regina University, Southern Methodist University, Stetson University, Temple University, Texas Christian University, University of Iowa, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of New Haven, Upstate Medical Center, Villanova University, West Chester University and Wheaton College. Zipcar expects to add additional schools before the end of the calendar year.

Car sharing is an effective option for campuses looking to reduce parking demand and congestion, as well as the carbon footprint of transportation and parking infrastructure. Studies have shown a single Zipcar can replace up to 15 personally owned vehicles, while also increasing the use of public transit, walking and biking.¹

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and community partners introduced Zipcar in 2009 as part of a comprehensive Transportation Demand Management program. Zipcar currently offers ten vehicles at seven locations throughout Champaign and Urbana, as well as on the University of Illinois campus.

"Since the start of the program, the university has seen a 30 percent reduction in the number of parking permits issued and an increase in the use of active transportation modes, which has helped cut down traffic volumes on campus and made it a safer and healthier place for students, employees and visitors," said Morgan B. Johnston, sustainability and transportation demand management coordinator at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

"Due to the Zipcar program at the University of Southern California (USC), the percentage of students, faculty and staff requesting parking passes has been reduced by approximately six percent year-over-year, which has not only lessened the demand for parking but has also helped reduce traffic congestion on and around campus," said Tony Mazza, director of transportation for USC.

As part of wide range of powerful mobility options now available on campuses throughout North America – including car sharing, bike sharing, ride sharing, public transit and more – Zipcar provides a convenient, cost-effective and sustainable transportation option for students, faculty and staff. The Zipcar hourly and daily rates include gas, 180 miles of travel per day, insurance, reserved parking spots and roadside assistance.

This year, as part of Zipcar's continued alliance with Ford, the annual membership fee for individuals at participating colleges and universities is $25, and rates on the vehicles start as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day (24 hours), which includes access to more than 30 makes and models of vehicles. Students at participating universities can join today by visiting www.zipcar.com/universities.

¹Car-Sharing: Where and How It Succeeds, Ch. 4. Transit Cooperative Research Program, Report 108; Transportation Research Board 2005. Adam Millard-Ball, Gail Murray, Jessica ter Schure, Christine Fox, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Assoc., and Jon Burkhardt, Westat

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world's leading car-sharing service with more than 730,000 members and 11,000 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria. 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 the high costs and hassles of owning a car. More information is available at www.zipcar.com. Photos and b-roll footage are also available for media purposes. Zipcar and the Zipcar logo are trademarks of Zipcar, Inc.

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SOURCE Zipcar, Inc.

For further information: Colleen McCormick, +1-617-336-4342, [email protected]