The City of Santa Monica today announced the launch of a new partnership with Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, to expand Zipcar’s presence in Santa Monica, bringing Zipcar’s “wheels when you want them” membership service to even more area residents, businesses, visitors, and students.
The formal launch of the city-led pilot car share program brings an additional twenty Zipcars to Santa Monica, increasing the total number of vehicles in Santa Monica to more than 30.
This new partnership launches Zipcars for use from visible public spaces increasing awareness and convenience. To use a Zipcar users can go to designated spots for easy pick-up and drop-off and vehicles can be reserved in seconds on Zipcar’s mobile app, online, or over the phone, the City said.
“Santa Monica has been focused on a new model of mobility for the region,” said Santa Monica City Mayor Tony Vazquez. “Big Blue Bus, Breeze Bike Share, and Expo gives people the freedom to connect to other parts of town with ease. Now, through our partnership with Zipcar, we add car share into our mobility mix which makes living in L.A. without a car an actuality.”
Each Zipcar reservation includes gas, insurance, and 180 miles of driving per day, making it a great option for those looking for ways to save money on the high cost of car ownership. In addition to the new vehicles in Santa Monica, Zipcar members can reserve and drive any one of the approximately 500 vehicles located in greater Los Angeles as well as the 12,000 vehicles in the company’s global fleet.
“Mobility is a health, wellbeing, and quality-of-life issue,” said Francie Stefan, Mobility Manager for the City. “More travel options can mean more productivity and more time for other life necessities, like exercise and time with family. And car-share isn’t just for those who don’t own cars. The Zipcar fleet has a variety of vehicle types, and can be useful for those times when you need more cargo space.”
This new partnership aims at promoting car sharing as a prominent option in the changing mobility landscape. By expanding the Zipcar presence more residents, employees, and visitors have convenient access to wheels where they live, work, and play. Students at Santa Monica College who are over the age of 18 will also now have access to Zipcar’s service.
“Zipcar is thrilled to be expanding our ‘wheels when you want them’ service to Santa Monica,” said Danielle Grossman, Zipcar Los Angeles general manager. “Area residents now have all the benefits of car ownership without the cost and hassles, while helping the city reduce congestion and alleviate parking demand.”
Prospective members can join the service on Zipcar’s mobile app and learn more about Zipcar in Santa Monica at zipcar.com.
