Zipcar "On-demand Cars" Rolls Into New York City

BOSTON--Feb. 12, 2002--After successful market tests in Boston and Washington D.C., Zipcar, the Cambridge, Mass.-based company that has revolutionized the way in which urban drivers view automobile transportation, is rolling into New York City promising to provide Manhattan residents and businesses alike a new-found freedom and mobility. Zipcar provides ``wheels when you want them''(TM), and now has 10 cars located in Manhattan. The company plans to add upwards of 200 cars in the Greater New York metropolitan area by year's end.

With almost 2,000 active members and 84 cars in the Boston and Washington D.C areas, Zipcar has proven to be a smart alternative to the expense and hassle of automobile ownership and usage in cities. Zipcars are conveniently located in reserved parking spaces in urban neighborhoods and business districts and can be used by members, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, for as little as one hour or as long as several days at a time. Reservations are made online or by phone. Proprietary, in-car technology tracks all the information needed for billing so that members have no paperwork to fill out and no logs to keep. The system also offers security in that only the member who has reserved a particular car can gain entry into it. Zipcar pays for assigned parking, maintenance, insurance and even gas.

Zipcar began testing in New York City in February, 2002, with the first 10 New York Zipcars located in Icon Garages. The New York Zipcar fleet -- which carries monikers to help identify one car from another and provide members with an added personal connection to ``their'' vehicle -- is comprised of new Volkswagen Beetles, Golfs and Jettas. Cars are located at Icon and Central Garages on the East Side at:

71st St. between York and 1st Ave. Jetta "Julian"

75th St. between 1st and 2nd Ave. Beetle "Buster"

80th St. between York and 1st. Ave. Golf "Guiliani"

87th St. between 2nd and 3rd Ave. Golf "Gloria"

89th Street between York and 1st Ave. Jetta "Jenny"

On the Upper West Side at:

West End Ave.between 66th and 70th Jetta "Jessica"

West 80th St. between Amsterdam & Broadway Golf "Greta"

West 83rd St between Columbus and Amsterdam Golf "Grace"

In Lower Manhattan at:

18-20 Morton St. Beetle "Brandon"

2 Washington Square Village Jetta "Joey"

Zipcar individual and organizational members can reserve a car from any location, in any Zipcar city and inquire about current availability by logging onto www.zipcar.com or by calling 1-866-4ZIPCAR, toll free. Additionally, anyone wishing to obtain information about membership can visit the website or call Zipcar toll free.

Prices in the New York metropolitan area range from $8-$14/hour plus $0.40 per mile, and maximum daily rates begin at $65. Pricing plans are designed to meet each driver's specific needs. Some members may choose the package featuring a $75 annual membership fee, while others may find a $30 minimum monthly driving fee with no annual charge better suited to their driving habits.

According to Runzheimer International, a leading transportation researcher, the average cost of owning a car in New York is $8,066, which is $672/month or $22/day whether the car is driven or not. In comparison, a New York Zipcar member will likely spend $200/month for 15 hours of driving during three sessions.

``Zipcar offers three unique advantages to city dwellers, businesses and organizations who need a car or a second car from time-to-time,'' explained Robin Chase, founder and CEO of Zipcar. ``First is convenience. Your Zipcar is usually right around the corner and you can use it for as little as an hour at a time. Our technology means that there is no paperwork to fill out, or lines to stand in. Getting your Zipcar is as easy as getting cash from an ATM. Second is the cost. With Zipcar, you only pay for what you need. If you use a car 15 hours a month, your cost with Zipcar will be about $2,400 a year, less than most people pay for car insurance in New York. And lastly, it takes cars off the road, reducing both air and noise pollution and traffic congestion.''

According to a recent study conducted in Switzerland where more than 50,000 people take advantage of this type of service, each shared vehicle replaces up to 10 privately owned cars and helps people to drive only when necessary.

One Boston Member claims, ``Zipcar just works. It's easy, fast and the car is always there. Zipcar is quirky, cool and fun. I'm happy to tell people about it because it makes me feel good. I feel like I'm part of a fun community.''

For more information about membership, locations and customer testimonials, visit Zipcar at www.zipcar.com.