CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipcar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIP), the world's leading car sharing network, and the Borough of Collingswood, today announced Zipcar's expansion into Collingswood, New Jersey, located just 10 minutes outside of Philadelphia. Zipcar is the first car sharing program available in South Jersey, and will provide residents, local businesses and visitors with increased access to affordable, convenient transportation options that are proven to reduce congestion and emissions.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110929/NE77318-a )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110929/NE77318-b )
The program is launching with two vehicles, including a Honda CR-V and Nissan Sentra, both of which will have reserved parking spots within walking distance of Collingswood's PATCO Speedline station. Zipcars will be located on-street at the intersection of Haddon and Collings Avenues as well as the parking garage of the LumberYard Condos.
Zipcar and Collingswood worked closely together to determine locations for the cars in areas with heavy foot traffic and access to public transportation, to offer high levels of convenience for area members. The program is available to local residents and visitors, as well as to employees of local businesses through the company's 'Zipcar for Business' program that offers discounted driving Monday through Friday.
"We've had requests for car sharing for some time now and we're excited to bring this to residents and visitors," said Collingswood Mayor James Maley. "Zipcar is a natural fit here. Collingswood is all about walkability and this serves residents looking to scale back."
Zipcar joins Collingswood's long list of eco-friendly initiatives including a bike share program, a yearly green festival, an all inclusive recycling program and being state designated as a Transit Village, which encourages "…attractive, vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods where people can live, shop, work and play without relying on automobiles," according to the NJDOT.
As an environmentally friendly transportation option, Zipcar will help to reduce Collingswood's carbon footprint. National studies have shown that each car shared takes 15 privately owned vehicles off the road, and that vehicle miles traveled per driver is reduced almost 50 percent when car owners switch to car sharing.