Flexcar Expands to Los Angeles; Former LA City Councilmember Michael Woo takes the wheel to launch program
LOS ANGELES--Nov. 13, 2002--The Los Angeles area, legendary for traffic gridlock and car-crazed motorists, is being introduced to a new weapon in its long battle against congested streets and highways.Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest car-sharing company, today announced it has expanded operations to the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Flexcar's innovative program provides members with access to a fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles, including gas-electric hybrids and electric cars, located throughout selected metropolitan areas. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance and maintenance. Members access the cars via a specially coded Smartcard, and pay hourly or monthly for use of the vehicles. Flexcar does not require security deposits or dues to participate in its program.
Flexcar recently launched similar operations in San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area. The launch of service in Los Angeles serves as the linchpin in the ongoing expansion throughout the state. By the end of 2003, Flexcar will have more than 250 vehicles in major California markets.
In the Los Angeles area, Flexcar now has a total of 12 vehicles at five locations:
| -- | Downtown: Union Station, 700 North Alameda St. (2 vehicles) |
| -- | Burbank: Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station, 5 West Olive Avenue (2 vehicles) |
| -- | Pasadena: 100 West Walnut Street (2 vehicles) |
| -- | Santa Monica: 1625 Olympic Boulevard at 17th St. (1 vehicle) |
| -- | Long Beach: Bikestation Long Beach, 105 The Promenade North (5 electric vehicles) |
Flexcar will add seven more Honda Civics to Los Angeles in the coming weeks as additional locations and partnerships are secured.
Flexcar is led by CEO Neil Peterson, who has unique knowledge of the challenges facing California, having been executive director of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission as well as general manager of the Alameda/Contra Costa Transportation District earlier in his career. At the local level, Flexcar is led by former Los Angeles City Councilmember Michael Woo, who chaired the Council's Transportation and Traffic Committee.
Flexcar worked with the City of Burbank and Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) to place two cars at the Downtown Burbank Metrolink station, providing access to a car for commuters.
Flexcar has partnered with a number of other companies, organizations and agencies to bring car-sharing to Los Angeles, including Parsons Corporation, Catellus Corporation, The Bikestation Coalition and Weststart. Parsons has agreed to place two vehicles at its office in Pasadena for its employees and other nearby businesses and residents. Catellus agreed to provide two key parking spots at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Flexcar joined with The Bikestation Coalition and Weststart on "City Wheels" -- the Bikestation Long Beach's innovative electric car, electric bike and electric scooter hourly rental program.
"Car-sharing is fast becoming a part of a community's infrastructure," said Neil Peterson, Flexcar's President and CEO. "It is a perfect complement to public transit, biking, walking, carpooling and other modes of mobility. Most urbanites don't need a car all the time, but they need one sometimes. And that's when they turn to Flexcar. Our program makes it possible to have on-demand access to a car without the costs of owing, parking and maintaining one."
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 without the associated cost and hassles.
"Everyone is concerned about traffic and the environment," said Peterson. "And most would like to find a way to do their part. We make it easy for people to make a difference without sacrificing the freedom they associate with owning a car. Our studies show that Flexcar members drive fewer miles, take public transportation and are smarter about combining trips. The benefit to the environment is obvious and grows exponentially as the program grows."
Flexcar's local phone number is 213/482-FLEX (3539) and its email address is info_losangeles@flexcar.com. People interested in becoming members of Flexcar can join online by visiting the company'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, 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, Flex Car or Flexicar.