Flexcar Continues Fleet Expansion

    WASHINGTON--March 13, 2003--With the addition of 10 environmentally-friendly gas/electric hybrid vehicles to its fleet last month, Flexcar, the nation's largest provider of car-sharing services company has continued its commitment to region-wide access to vehicles on demand. In partnership with Metro, Flexcar's 42 cars and trucks are available to members at or near Metro stations in dozens of communities within the District, Virginia and Maryland. All six major metropolitan jurisdictions -- Alexandria; Arlington County; Washington, D.C.; Fairfax County; Montgomery County; and Prince George's County -- are served by Flexcar's growing car-sharing program.
    Rather than focus on the downtown core or specific populations, Flexcar offers mobility solutions to citizens throughout the region, from Shady Grove to King Street and Vienna to New Carrollton. The new hybrid vehicles have been placed in areas equally as diverse, including Mt. Pleasant, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Bethesda, Greenbelt, Pentagon City and West Falls Church. In all, Flexcar has more than 2,000 members in the greater Washington metropolitan area.
    Flexcar's innovative program provides members with access to a fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles located throughout the region. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance and maintenance. Members access the cars via a specially coded Smartcard, and pay hourly or monthly for use of the vehicles.
    "No matter where people live, whether it's close to a Metro line or not, the reality is that sometimes you just need a car," said Tim Vogel, general manager of Flexcar's DC Metro office. "Because of that, Flexcar is committed to satisfying that need by placing vehicles throughout the region, so no matter where our members may travel, there will be a Flexcar waiting nearby, should they need it."
    Equally important to the breadth of Flexcar's service area is its commitment to the environment. The company's surveys of its members show a big concern for traffic and clean air, which is why car-sharing is so appealing. Car-sharing makes it easy for people to make a difference without sacrificing the freedom they associate with owning a car. And, because Flexcar members drive fewer miles, take public transportation and are good at combining trips, the benefit to the environment is obvious and grows exponentially as the program grows.
    "We're so pleased that Flexcar and Metro have brought the program to Montgomery County," said Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan. "Gridlock and congestion are not limited to the District, and our residents appreciate having the option to use Flexcar."
    Following a successful European model, Flexcar launched its Washington, D.C. operations in 2002, 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 associated cost and hassles.

    Flexcar

    Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 10,000 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 and American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
    Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar, Flex Car or Flexicar.