Zipcar opens its University car-sharing program to dozens more institutions across the US

Car-sharing network Zipcar has announced that it’s adding “dozens” of new schools to its University program later this year, offering campus car-sharing at more than 300 colleges and universities across North America.

Founded in 2000, Zipcar is a car-sharing company that provides cars, billable by the hour or day, to its members. It now claims more than 730,000 members and 11,000 cars globally, operating in the US, Canada, the UK, Spain and Austria. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles.

Students are a big demographic for the company too, with its University program offering a much more cost-effective way of getting around than owning a car, though it’s worth noting that it’s also open to staff and others associated with the university.

“Zipcar’s university programs are a powerful venue to introduce Millenials to Zipcar’s category-leading mobility solution,” says Mark Norman, Zipcar president and COO. “Students love the freedom and flexibility Zipcar provides on campus and the ability to continue their membership in leading cities around the world when they graduate, while universities choose Zipcar’s leading brand and technology to deliver sustainable improvement in traffic congestion, parking requirements and emissions reduction on campus.”

Now, Zipcar is launching car-sharing programs with the following institutions: Arcadia University, Austin Community College, Bentley University, College for Creative Studies, Georgetown University, Gonzaga University, James Madison University, Merrimack College, Michigan Tech University, Montclair State University, Morehouse College, Mount Holyoke College, Notre Dame de Namur University, Salve Regina University, Southern Methodist University, Stetson University, Temple University, Texas Christian University, University of Iowa, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of New Haven, Upstate Medical Center, Villanova University, West Chester University and Wheaton College. The company says that it expects to add more universities before the end of the year.

This year, as part of Zipcar’s partnership with Ford, the annual membership fee for individuals at participating colleges and universities is $25, and rates on the vehicles start at $7.50 per hour and $69 per day (24 hours). The Zipcar hourly and daily rates include gas, 180 miles of travel per day, insurance, reserved parking spots and roadside assistance.

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