Zipping Away From the City is Now Fast, Easy and Affordable. Zipcar Provides Freedom and Mobility for Short Escapes

    BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--May 23, 2002--Get me outta here!
    In just a month or so, a similar cry will be resounding from the throats of urban dwellers like Amanda and countless others who love living in the city---except in the dog days of summer.
    Dreams of weekend escapes are a way of life for many urbanites. Some getaways come on a whim, other times they require long-term planning. But for most, including Amanda, who resides in New York City, destinations are determined by the length and direction of the subway tracks or bus routes and schedules, making the notion of freedom inconvenient and, frankly, a pain.
    So, how to escape?
    The obvious answer for these irrepressible urges for urban parole is simple -- a set of wheels. A car lets the natives flee the heat and confines of city life in the dog days of July and August, for a couple of hours, a day or a weekend. But for Amanda, car ownership in the city isn't realistic given the expense and the hassle -- no chance.
    Car rental? The lines and the advance reservation times, not to mention inconvenient locations, just add to the stress. And it isn't practical to rent a car to go for an afternoon swim at a local pond or a post-work picnic in a grassy field.
    Like thousands of other East Coast urban dwellers, Amanda has come up with an answer to her plight. Eureka! It's Zipcar.
    Zipcar. Wheels when you want them. Zipcar. Self service cars for an hour, a day, or longer. Zipcar. Reservations online in just seconds. Zipcar. Parked right around the corner from where you live or work. Zipcar. A fraction of the price of car ownership and, in most cases, car rental. Zipcar. Fast and easy freedom. Zipcar. Escape.
    Zipcar, the Cambridge, Mass-based company that has revolutionized the way in which urban drivers view automobile transportation, has rolled into the Boston, New York City, Northern New Jersey and Washington D.C. metro areas providing city residents with new-found freedom and mobility. The company now boasts more than 100 East Coast locations featuring new cars that are fun and hassle-free to drive.
    Zipcar has proven to be a smart alternative to the expense and problems associated with automobile ownership and usage in cities. Zipcars are conveniently located in reserved parking spaces in urban neighborhoods and business districts and can be used by members, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as little as one hour or as long as several days at a time. Reservations are made online or by phone. Proprietary, in-car technology tracks all the information needed for billing so that members have no paperwork to fill out and no logs to keep. The system also offers security in that only the member who has reserved a particular car can gain entry into it. Zipcar pays for assigned parking, maintenance, insurance and even gas.
    "We are customer driven and our members tell us everything they want," said Robin Chase, founder and CEO of Zipcar. "They are incredibly enthusiastic about Zipcar and they try to help us out. We have some amazing Zipcar stories about how our cars are fitting right into people's lives."
    Some of the stories that have been shared include two members who drove their newborn home in a Zipcar. One member, a fashion model, finds that Zipcar is the easiest way to zip around to assignments. There's the rock drummer who finds Zipcars to be the best way to transport his skins to gigs. A Zipcar has even been spotted in a funeral procession. And then there's the bridal party that will be "getting to the church on time" this summer in a fleet of eight lime green Zipcar Beetles.
    Last Thanksgiving, the Zipcar corporate staff filled cars with turkeys and, with the help of members, delivered them throughout the greater Boston area for the Salvation Army.
    And, because Zipcars can be used for very short periods of time, it's the ideal summer escape for Amanda when she wants to hit the beach for a few hours, head to the country for the weekend or simply visit friends in the suburbs for a cookout. Moreover, Amanda's membership is good in any city that is home to a Zipcar fleet.
    Zipcar members can reserve a car from any location, in any Zipcar city and inquire about current availability by logging onto www.zipcar.com or by calling 1-866-4ZIPCAR, toll free. Additionally, anyone wishing to obtain information about membership can visit the website or call the toll free number.
    Zipcar prices are comprised of a modest hourly rate plus a low mileage charge, depending on the city (specific charges are listed on the Zipcar website: www.zipcar.com). Pricing plans are designed to meet each driver's specific needs. Some members may choose the package featuring a $75 annual membership fee, while others may find a $30 minimum monthly driving fee with no annual charge better suited to their driving habits.
    According to Runzheimer International, a leading transportation researcher, the average cost of owning a car in New York, for example, is $8,066, which is $672/month or $22/day whether the car is driven or not. In comparison, a New York Zipcar member will likely spend $200/month for 15 hours of driving during three sessions.
    "Zipcar offers three unique advantages to city dwellers who need a car or a second car from time-to-time, whether it's to run errands or escape to the country," explained Robin Chase, founder and CEO of Zipcar. "First is convenience. Your Zipcar is usually right around the corner and you can use it for as little as an hour at a time. Our technology means that there is no paperwork to fill out, or lines to stand in. Getting your Zipcar is as easy as getting cash from an ATM. Second is the cost. With Zipcar, you only pay for what you need. If you use a car 15 hours a month, your cost with Zipcar will be less than most people pay for car insurance in an urban area. And lastly, it takes cars off the road, reducing both air and noise pollution and traffic congestion."
    According to a recent study conducted in Switzerland where more than 40,000 people take advantage of this type of service, each shared vehicle replaces up to eight to 10 privately owned cars and helps people to drive only when necessary.
    For more information about membership, locations and customer testimonials, visit Zipcar at www.zipcar.com.