[Archived] Carsharing Comes to Alexandria

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media inquiries: Paul DeMaio
October 11, 2001 Office of Transit Services 703 838-3800

CARSHARING ARRIVES IN ALEXANDRIA

The City of Alexandria is welcoming the launch of its first carsharing service provided by Zipcar. The event is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at St. Elmo’s Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Ave. Carsharing is a new concept in America that provides people the use of a car without having to own it. Carsharing’s benefits include a reduction in vehicles owned per capita, a reduction of miles driven by carsharing members, cleaner air and higher transit ridership. Cars will be placed in Alexandria communities, allowing individuals and businesses to walk or bike to the vehicles and pay for their use on a per hour and per mile basis.

Often people do not want a car, but they want the service a car provides. Carsharing allows people to use a car when needed, while not having to deal with the costs and headaches of car ownership. Owning and operating a personal car is expensive. The American Automobile Association states that individuals driving 5,000 miles per year pay about $4,750 annually for their car. This amount includes car payments, gas, maintenance, parking, taxes, etc. Zipcar states that using their car 15 hours per month will cost only $1,300 per year. Carsharing works well for those who mainly use transit, bike and walk and occasionally have a need for a private vehicle.

Zipcar’s fees include a $25 application fee, $75 annual membership and $300 refundable security deposit. To reserve a car, one can do so on-line at their Website, Zipcar.com, or by phone. There is a 40-cent per mile and $6 per hour fee.

To further ensure that carsharing is a success in Alexandria, the City will be providing a substantial financial incentive to both its residents and businesses to encourage them to join. The City will be reimburse up to $100 of membership and application fees for residents and up to $50 for business’s membership fees and half of each employee’s application fee of up to $20. In addition, the first 25 single occupant vehicle commuters to join will receive a free one-month transit pass of their preferred transportation mode to encourage them to leave their car at home and take transit to work.

“It is often said that Americans are addicted to their cars. That’s untrue. Americans are addicted to mobility and carsharing can assist us with these needs,” said Paul DeMaio, Transit Specialist with the City of Alexandria. For more information contact Paul DeMaio at 703-838-3800 and visit www.AlexRide.org/carsharing.html.