Flexcar Expands Operations to City of Kirkland

    KIRKLAND, Wash.--April 22, 2002---Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest car-sharing company, the City of Kirkland (Wash.) and King County (Wash.) Metro have partnered to bring Flexcar's car-sharing program to Kirkland.
    Beginning today -- Earth Day -- two Honda Civic sedans are immediately available for use by Flexcar members at key downtown Kirkland locations.
    Flexcar's innovative program provides members with access to a fleet of vehicles located throughout Seattle, Bellevue and now Kirkland. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Members pay only for the time they use the car, and pay nothing when they don't.
    "We are excited to bring Flexcar's program to Kirkland," said Mayor Larry Springer. "From our parks, to our shops to our waterfront, Kirkland is a great place to live. The addition of Flexcar fits Kirkland's commitment to livability because it provides yet another lifestyle option for our residents. We think the program makes sense for downtown Kirkland with its large number of residents and employees. These downtown Flexcars can also serve any Kirkland resident because most of us are just one bus ride away from downtown."
    The first two vehicles will be located on 2nd Street next to City Hall and downtown at Lake Street and Central Way. As the program grows and as use increases, Flexcar will expand the operations and add more vehicles.
    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, reduces air pollution, reduces energy use, increases use of public transit and contributes to sustainable communities. Used in conjunction with public transit, car/vanpools and walking/biking, Flexcar can meet an individual's transportation needs in an economic and environmentally responsible manner, giving them the freedom of car ownership without the cost and hassles. Flexcar operates similar programs in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Portland (Ore.) and Vancouver (Wash.)
    "Kirkland is a great fit for our program," said Neil Peterson, Flexcar's president and CEO. "Kirkland's downtown is blossoming with new condominiums, apartments and businesses. With so many amenities nearby, most people can walk or take transit to where they need to go, reducing the need for a second, and quite possibly, a primary vehicle. Flexcar provides people with that extra car when they need one, without the hassle and cost of actually owning another car. "
    In addition to serving individuals, Flexcar offers Business Membership Plans that allow companies and organizations to augment or replace the need for fleet vehicles. Flexcar works with property managers to place Flexcar vehicles in convenient locations in downtown buildings. Employees of Flexcar Business Members can access the vehicles for meetings, errands or other business needs; the company is billed with a simple monthly invoice for only the amount of time the vehicle is used. Companies are using Flexcar to reduce their monthly fleet costs, to achieve commute reduction goals, or simply to provide a benefit to employees.

    Flexcar

    Flexcar's innovative car-sharing program provides its members convenient access to a fleet of new and fuel-efficient cars located across metropolitan regions. 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 and specialty vehicles including pickups. Members can access a Flexcar in any of the following metropolitan areas: Seattle, Portland (Ore.), and Washington, D.C. Metro. Other regions will be added in 2002. Flexcar is a privately held company that has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Parsons Transportation Group and American Honda Co.

    Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation of name is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar or Flex Car.