Flexcar Brings Car-Sharing Program to Palo Alto
PALO ALTO, Calif.--July 12, 2002--Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest car-sharing company, has assumed operational control of the Caltrain station car-sharing program formerly known as CarLink II, enabling its nearly 100 members to continue to use this innovative mobility program.
In addition, the company announced its plans to bring its national car-sharing network to businesses and individuals in Palo Alto and the Bay Area.
Flexcar's innovative program provides members with access to a fleet of vehicles located throughout a metropolitan area. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Members pay only an hourly and mileage rate for the time they use the car, and pay nothing when they don't. Flexcar does not require security deposits, dues or monthly minimums to participate in its program. Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 6,000 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in five states and the District of Columbia.
Flexcar's operations in the Bay Area began July 1, when it agreed to continue to operate the pilot car-sharing program formerly known as CarLink II. Launched in August, 2001, CarLink II allowed its members to share vehicles that were parked at the California Avenue Caltrain station in Palo Alto. The program was sponsored by Caltrans New Technology, Honda, California Partners in Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH) at U.C. Berkeley, and the U.C. Davis Institute of Transportation Studies. The operational component of the project was slated to terminate on June 30, 2002, with the research evaluation phase running through December 2002. Flexcar agreed to continue to manage the operational component of the project, ensuring the continuation of the service for nearly 100 members.
"We are pleased that Flexcar agreed to continue to operate the CarLink II program. What began as a research project turned into a successful mobility option for businesses and individuals in Palo Alto," said Robert Bienenfeld, senior manager of product planning at American Honda, one of the program's sponsors.
"I'm so glad that the program will continue on," said Lynette Guanzon, a systems engineer at SAP, one of the original CarLink II members. "CarLink II allowed me to take Caltrain to work yet still have access to a car during the day. Thanks to Flexcar, I'll still be able to have a stress-free commute!"
Flexcar's initial fleet of vehicles in Palo Alto consists of 25 Honda Civics, a number of which will be spread throughout downtown and various Palo Alto neighborhoods in the coming weeks. Brand new 2003 gas/electric Honda Civic Hybrids will be added in the coming months as it expands its operations. Flexcar was the first car-sharing organization in the country to offer Honda Civic Hybrids in its fleet.
The 2003 Civic Hybrid uses a small gasoline engine coupled with an electric motor to provide excellent fuel economy and performance, earning an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating of 46/51 mpg with a 5-speed manual transmission. That's about a 30 percent improvement compared to other Civic sedan models, making it the most fuel-efficient five-passenger sedan ever sold in the world.
"We were excited to enable the CarLink II program to continue," said Neil Peterson, Flexcar's President and CEO. "It's a perfect complement to our existing national car sharing network, which already serves more than 6,000 members in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland, California, Oregon and Washington state. We're looking forward to expanding the existing member base by increasing the number of vehicles and locations throughout the Bay Area."
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 cost and hassles.
Flexcar
Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 6,000 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 and specialty vehicles including pickups. Flexcar is a privately held company that has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Parsons Transportation Group and American Honda Co.
Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar or Flex Car.
