Budget Rent A Car and Vipre Launch Commuter Program
15 July 1999
Budget Rent A Car and Vipre Launch Commuter Vanpool Transportation Program LISLE, Ill., July 15 -- Budget Rent a Car International, Inc.
and Vipre, both subsidiaries of Budget Group, Inc. , have teamed up
in the UK to launch a new commuter vanpool program, commonly referred to as
driveshare in the UK.
Employees who use vanpooling enjoy an affordable, flexible and
environmentally friendly transportation service. In some cases, they commute
to and from work in the comfort and stress-free environment of a luxury
passenger van. They can also reach work more quickly by having privileged
access to dedicated bus lanes during peak periods and preferential parking
spaces at work. In the event that an employee has to leave early or work
late, Vipre offers a 'guaranteed ride home' service.
For employers, vanpooling reduces the number of parking spaces required at
company locations, increases accessibility to the workplace and enhances the
company's environmental image. In addition, experience has shown that
participation in vanpool programs helps reduce employee absenteeism and
lateness.
According to managing director and general manager of Budget UK
Operations, Doug Sawers, "The new partnership aims to provide innovative
Budget Group transportation solutions. It uniquely differentiates us in the
highly competitive car rental market place and underlines our commitment to a
global eco-strategy. This new service will be of considerable interest to
major companies faced with escalating employee transportation issues and
costs."
Michael B. Norvell, Vipre's general director, Europe commented, "Our
company has over fifty years experience planning and implementing the best
solutions for the mass transportation of employees. What differentiates us
from other consultants who advise on commuting issues is that we implement and
manage the transportation solutions and systems."
Vipre undertakes a commuter cluster analysis, identifying groups of
employees who could participate in a shared ride arrangement, before
developing a green commuter plan. It then implements an agreed transport plan
and provides on-going customer service support including marketing and
passenger recruitment assistance.
In the US, over 40,000 employees per day use the vanpool service operated
by Vipre's parent company, VPSI, a subsidiary of Budget Group, Inc. In
Holland, where Vipre was founded in 1948, clients include major blue chip
companies such as Philips, DAF Trucks, Shell, ICI Holland, Fokker Services and
ECT.
Van Pool Details
The new vanpool service works as follows. Groups of up to eight commuters
are formed, who ride to and from work in a luxury passenger van. One member
volunteers to drive the van and the others share the expenses of operating the
vanpool vehicle.
Vipre's service includes all expenses associated with operating a vehicle,
namely capital cost, depreciation, insurance, maintenance and repairs,
emergency rescue services and loan vehicles.
For a typical 24-mile round trip commute, the average cost per
commuter/per day over a 21-day working month would be approximately US$6.75
per day.
In the UK, Vipre will operate Ford Torneo GLX 8-seater luxury passenger
vans. These vehicles come equipped with air conditioning; tinted windows;
high back seats with headrests and, in most cases, armrests; in-car
entertainment; fully-fitted carpet and a spacious luggage compartment. Safety
features include driver and front seat passenger air bags plus anti-lock
brakes with electronic brake distribution.
Other Budget Environmental Initiatives
At the end of March, The City of Edinburgh Council and its partner Budget
Rent a Car officially launched the City Car Club(TM), the first-ever UK car
share program.
In 1998, Budget added 50 LPG Ford Mondeo 1.8-litre cars to its UK fleet
for rental from its London Victoria and Heathrow locations. Later, Budget
expanded its LPG fleet to include 10 LPG powered vans. In the same year,
Budget France made available over 150 LPG vehicles for rent from Budget
locations in major cities and airport locations.
First launched in 1996, Budget now has a fleet of over 100 electric cars
available to rent in Paris and Lyons. In 1998, Budget introduced the first
ever electric vehicle rental fleet in the US, with a fleet of 15 electric
vehicles based at Budget's Los Angeles International Airport, and in 1999 the
first compressed natural gas vehicle (NGV) rental fleet in Los Angeles.
Budget Rent a Car, a wholly owned subsidiary of Budget Group, Inc.
, is one of the world's top three car and truck rental systems.
The Budget system, which operates under the same name worldwide, has more than
2,900 airport and local market locations in over 120 countries and
territories. Budget has nearly 900 corporate-owned and franchised locations
throughout the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, including over 140
rental locations in the UK.
Around the world, Budget differentiates itself in the industry through its
"out-of-the-ordinary" products and services. In addition to the normal range
of vehicles, Budget's WorldClass Fleet in the UK includes Jaguar, Mercedes,
BMW and Porsche, cabriolets, 4 x 4 models and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The newest addition to the WorldClass Fleet is the Ford Cougar sports coupe.
Visit our Web site at: http://www.drivebudget.com .
