Flexcar Asks Angelinos to Choose Which is Worse: Smog or Gridlock? Offers Solution to Both; Car-Sharing Company Offers Hourly Access to Fleet of 24 Honda Civic Hybrids

    LOS ANGELES--July 11, 2003--"What's worse, smog or gridlock?" That's the question Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest provider of car-sharing programs, is posing to Angelinos over the course of the next month ... and the company really wants to know. That's because Flexcar believes its award-winning program is the solution to both problems, which are potentially the two worst facing Los Angeles on a daily basis.
    That solution begins today, when Flexcar converts its entire Los Angeles fleet to Honda Civic Hybrids. These new vehicles are powered by a combination of gas and electricity, dramatically reducing emissions and increasing gas mileage, thus helping with smog reduction. Likewise, Flexcar's program already has been shown to reduce vehicle miles traveled, increase ridership of public transit, and resulted in members either selling an existing car or avoiding buying one, thus helping reduce traffic congestion.
    Flexcar members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Paying by the hour, members can enjoy the freedom of car ownership without the hassles and costs.
    "People are fed up with the two-hour one-way commute," said Lance Ayrault, president and CEO of Flexcar. "The more time we sit in our cars, the worse our smog problem gets. People really want to an alternative, but the reality is that many people need a car during the day. We believe Flexcar is the answer."
    Flexcar has 24 hybrid vehicles spread throughout downtown Los Angeles, Burbank, Pasadena, Santa Monica, USC and Long Beach.
    "The biggest barrier to riding public transit to and from work is the unpredictable need for a car during the day for a business meeting, a doctor's appointment or an emergency," added Ayrault. "With Flexcar, they can have that car at the office without having to drive to the office. Given the choice, who wants to sit in traffic?"
    That's a question to which Flexcar will soon know the answer. The company will be asking Angelinos in person at the Grand Performances concert series (California Plaza Watercourt, 350 S. Grand) on Friday afternoons, beginning today, as well as online at www.flexcar.com or www.smogorgridlock.com. The company will publish the final results at the beginning of August.
    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. The company first introduced car-sharing to the Los Angeles area in November 2002.

    Flexcar

    Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 14,000 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, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Parsons Transportation Group, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and Bristol Bay Native Corporation.

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