Flexcar Launches Web Reservations; Company Will Have 84 Cars by Year's End Serving All Six Major Jurisdictions

WASHINGTON--Nov. 2, 20038, 2003--Reserving a car or truck by the hour in the DC Metro area just got easier. Flexcar, the nation's largest provider of car-sharing programs announced the addition of two dozen vehicles as well as the launch of its web-based reservation system. Flexcar now has 78 environmentally-friendly cars and trucks -- including several popular gas/electric hybrids -- available for hourly use by members in dozens of communities within the District, Virginia and Maryland.

Members can now log in to the reservation system via the Web and easily view the availability of and reserve any vehicle they want to drive. Already, the volume of overall reservations has increased with Internet reservations surpassing phone reservations. Flexcar expects that within a few months, most reservations will come from the Web.

Continuing its commitment to region-wide access to vehicles on demand, Flexcar's 78 vehicles (and the six new ones to be added within a few weeks) are parked at or near Metro stations in Alexandria; Arlington County; Washington, D.C.; Fairfax County; Montgomery County; and Prince George's County, giving residents the best possible ability to use a car when and where they need it.

Through its partnership with Metro, Flexcar's award-winning program provides its nearly 4,000 DC Metro area members on-demand access to a fleet of low emission vehicles. Members reserve vehicles for hourly use (about $8) with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance and maintenance. Members can pay hourly or monthly for use of the vehicles. From Shady Grove to King Street and Vienna to New Carrollton -- with clusters of vehicles located in neighborhoods including Capitol Hill, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle and many others - Flexcar members enjoy the freedom of car ownership without the hassles and costs.

"We've seen incredible response to the program," said Tim Vogel, general manager of Flexcar's Washington Metropolitan area operations. "Metro has been an outstanding partner and together we're really making a difference in how people get around. Whether it's reduced traffic congestion, air pollution, or both, everyone is beginning to see the benefits that car-sharing brings."

Membership surveys show that Flexcar members ride public transportation, combine trips and either sell or avoid buying a car, so the benefit to the environment is obvious and will grow exponentially as the program continues to grow.

"Flexcar continues to be a strong partner by helping to meet the needs of Metro's customers," said Lora Byala, program manager of regional planning for Metro. "Riders have shown that they appreciate the role that Metro is playing in providing a full menu of transportation options. We are pleased that Flexcar continues to place its vehicles in economically and socially diverse communities."

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 economically and environmentally responsible manner, giving them the freedom of car ownership.

People interested in becoming members can join online at www.flexcar.com or call 202-296-1359 for more information. Memberships are available for an annual fee of $25.00.

Flexcar

Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 18,000 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in six 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, 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 of name is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar or Flex Car or Flexicar.