Flexcar Expands Operations to San Diego; Launches in conjunction with ``Coaster After Hours'' Program

    SAN DIEGO--Sept. 27, 2002--Flexcar, the nation's largest provider of car-sharing services, today announced it has expanded operations to San Diego.
    Beginning today, two vehicles, located at the Santa Fe Train Station (1050 Kettner Blvd.) and the NBC building (225 Broadway) are available for hourly use by Flexcar members. Flexcar launched the vehicles in conjunction with the "Coaster After Hours" program announced last night.
    Flexcar's innovative program provides members with access to a fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles, including gas-electric hybrids and light pickup trucks, typically located in a metropolitan area. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Members can pay an hourly or monthly rate for use of the vehicles. Flexcar has more than 7,000 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in five states plus the District of Columbia.
    "We are excited to bring our program to San Diego," said Neil Peterson, Flexcar's president and CEO. "San Diego is a perfect fit for our service -- a burgeoning city with a solid transit infrastructure and commitment to building sustainable communities. Our car-sharing service provides an easy, economical and environmental alternative to car-ownership, allowing people access to a car when they need one, without the associated costs and hassles."
    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, air pollution and energy use, while increasing use of public transportation and contributing to sustainable communities. Used in conjunction with public transit, car/vanpools and walking/biking, car-sharing helps individuals meet their transportation needs in an economic and environmentally responsible manner, giving them the freedom of car ownership.
    People interested in joining Flexcar can do so via the Internet at www.flexcar.com or by calling 619/262-3539.

    Coaster After Hours

    Coaster After Hours is an initiative of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored by CCDC, NCTD, the Port of San Diego, Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi, Catellus, Flexcar, Castle Advertising and San Diego Magazine.

    Flexcar

    Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 7,000 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in 5 states and the District of Columbia. 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, electric cars and specialty vehicles including pickups and convertibles. Flexcar has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro Transit, Kitsap County (Wash.) Transit, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Parsons Transportation Group and American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

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