Submitted by Zipcar and The Evergreen State College
On March 28, The Evergreen State College launched a new partnership with Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car sharing program on campus, bringing Zipcar to Olympia for the first time. The convenient transportation option is now available at an affordable rate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, including international students.
Evergreen will initially offer two vehicles, a Ford Focus named “Farmhad” and a Ford Escape named “Evergreen State.” The Zipcars will have designated parking spots located in a campus lot near the dorms on the northeast corner of the campus for convenient pick-up and return.
This year, Evergreen students, faculty and staff can become members for $15, with rates for Zipcar vehicles on campus starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $25. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days. Evergreen State College students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/evergreen.
According to Evergreen spokesperson Meryl Lipman, the partnership is in line with the college’s pioneering spirit around sustainability. “We are proud to be launching the first car sharing program in Thurston, Lewis, Mason and Grays Harbor Counties – for now it’s the only program between Tacoma and Vancouver,” she said. She also noted that the program reflects Evergreen’s strong commitment to its students. “Access to Zipcars makes car ownership one less financial and logistical burden for them,” said Lipman. At this time, she explained, the program is restricted to the Evergreen campus community, and faculty and staff may use the cars only for personal business.
Members with iPhones and Android devices may download the Zipcar mobile app to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle. Reservations can also be made over the phone or on Zipcar’s website.
“The Zipcar program on campus gives students, faculty and staff the freedom of using a car without the hassle of owning one,” said Katelyn Bushey, Zipcar director of university sales. “We’re happy to partner with Evergreen State College, to give their community a transportation option to fit their needs and their wallet.”
Zipcar has established relationships with more than 500 universities across North America. For more information and how to become a member of Zipcar at Evergreen State College, please visit www.zipcar.com/evergreen. Additional information and promotions can also be found by following @Zipcar on Twitter.
