31 Drivers to Quit Their Car for a Month in Metro/Flexcar ''Low-Car Diet''; Residents Pledge to Use Metro, Flexcar, Walking and Biking to Get Around

WASHINGTON--Aug. 1, 2006--Emeka Moneme, Chief of Staff to Metro Interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini and Flexcar General Manager Ralph Burns were on hand at a special event today to applaud more than 30 area residents as they literally quit their car for the month of August by dropping their car keys in a lockbox. The event kicked off the Metro/Flexcar "Low-Car Diet," a month-long campaign in which the participants pledged to use Metrobus, Metrorail, bicycling, walking, Flexcar and other modes of transportation to get around the area.

"Even as record numbers of people have switched to transit for their commute, far too many people still believe that giving up their car would be too much of a sacrifice," said Moneme. "This event, and these people, will show us all that it's easier than we think to live without owning a car. With the combination of Metrobus, Metrorail, Flexcar and other modes, there's hardly anywhere you can't go easily, efficiently and affordably. I look forward to sharing their success stories and motivating thousands of others to do the same."

Low-Car Diet participants will be given 25 hours of free Flexcar use during the month, a Metro SmarTrip pass as well as free tickets to a Washington Performing Arts Society show, free coupons for a drink of their choice at Borders Book Store and transportation information designed to make their month-long car "diet" enjoyable. Should they complete the month without driving their own car, they will be awarded free hours of Flexcar use each month for a year. And if they decide to sell their own car and continue to use transit, Flexcar and other alternatives they will enjoy savings of up to several hundred dollars per month over owning a personal vehicle. Throughout the month participants will keep a journal of their experiences. Excerpts of their diaries will be published on the website.

"People talk about the convenience of having their own car, but they conveniently forget the hassles, such as finding parking, paying tickets, being stuck in traffic and making insurance and car payments every month," said Burns. "With more than 160 cars and trucks conveniently parked throughout the metro area, chances are good there's a Flexcar within walking distance. It comes with reserved parking, and we pay for the gas, insurance and maintenance. With Flexcar, you get the convenience of car ownership without the cost and hassles."

DC is one of the most transit and walking friendly cities in the world, with restaurants, night life, groceries, coffee shops, and health clubs all located within a short walk of nearly any residence. But this convenience comes at a cost - parking is a hassle, expensive and hard to find. With gas prices holding steady at more than $3.50 a gallon, many car owners are now searching for an alternative to car ownership. More and more are turning to public transit, walking, biking and Flexcar to provide the mobility they need.

More information on the Low Car Diet is available online at www.dclowcardiet.com or by calling 202-296-1FLX (1359).