Flexcar Challenge Participants Cross Finish Line

    WASHINGTON--Oct. 28, 2002--Twelve D.C.-area citizens who handed over their car keys to Flexcar, pledging to walk, ride Metro, bike and use Flexcar to get around town for an entire month, have now completed the Flexcar Challenge.
    As a result of taking the Challenge, many participants have decided to sell their car or are considering selling their car, or have avoided buying another car.
    Flexcar's innovative program provides members with access to a fleet of 32 environmentally friendly vehicles, including gas-electric hybrids and light pickup trucks, located at or near Metro stations in Maryland, Virginia and the District. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Members pay an hourly or monthly rate for use of the vehicles.
    According to Daniel Williams, he's selling his car. "I only drive around the block in order to keep the battery charged. I'm getting ready to take it in for a good overhaul to get it in good selling condition. I don't ever use it and I'm tired of paying insurance for it, so I'm selling it."
    Kalimar Maia is also selling his car. "Know anyone who wants to buy a 2001 Subaru? Great car!"
    Karin Sypura wrote, "I was having a hard time parting with my car. But she just wasn't reliable anymore, and I kept spending more money to fix all her 'aches and pains.' During the Flexcar challenge I got up the guts to donate her to the Salvation Army where good kind folks have either put her to rest or used her parts to give other younger cars more life. I'm so glad I did! Now I've eliminated those insurance and parking costs and I have access to reliable cars, and the occasional truck."
    Christina Mitchell did the math and found out her true costs of vehicle ownership. "During the entire month, I only used Flexcar twice. This totally amazes me and certainly makes me wonder why, according to my conservative calculations, I pay 47 cents a mile, $314 a month, $3772 a year to own my car, and it's paid off so I am not counting the purchase/lease cost."
    Others, like Robert Mariner, will keep their car, but use Flexcar in conjunction with commuting via Metro. As a commuter from Fredericksburg, Robert has a need for Flexcar during the day for errands or business meetings.
    And finally, the challenge included some people who were considering purchasing a primary or secondary car. Their experience has led them to believe that they can forestall, or avoid, such a purchase.
    Said Martin Alaniz, "During the Flexcar Challenge, I learned that the public transportation system in DC can get you 'almost' anywhere you need to go. For any other places, you can either get a car or use Flexcar. I personally find it much cheaper right now to use Flexcar for my other trips."
    Perhaps the sentiments of John Mimikakis reflect that of the groups. He wrote, "I signed up for the Flexcar Challenge with the suspicion that I didn't really need a car to get around Washington. Now I know that I don't really need a car of my own. I was perfectly happy using the Metro system to get to and from work, and, when I needed to get to places where metro just didn't go, using Flexcar was a breeze."
    Additional information and diary excerpts from participants are available on Flexcar's Website at www.flexcar.com.

    Flexcar

    Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 7,500 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.