Zipcar Press Release

Cambridge, Mass. – Sept. 13, 2011 – Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) are pleased to announce the launch of a new partnership to offer car sharing on campus. The cost-effective and convenient transportation option is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all students, faculty and staff members ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over. UMass Lowell students, faculty, staff and local community members can join today at www.zipcar.com/uml.

UMass Lowell members pay a $35 annual fee, and rates on campus Zipcar vehicles start as low as $8 per hour and $66 per day.  Gas, insurance, reserved parking spots, up to 180 miles of driving per day and roadside assistance are included in the hourly and daily Zipcar rates. Cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days.

“UMass Lowell recognizes the importance of engaging all members of our community in efforts to protect the environment.  We have made significant progress over the last four years in shrinking the university’s carbon footprint,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan. “We believe our new partnership with Zipcar will encourage students and others on campus to play a role in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

UMass Lowell will offer two Zipcars to start, including a Honda Insight Hybrid and a Mazda 3 sedan, which will be located in the Fox Hall parking lot at 100 Pawtucket Street on UMass Lowell’s East Campus.  Zipcars are self service and can be easily reserved and accessed 24 hours a day. Participating members with smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, may download the Zipcar mobile applications to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles as well as honk the horn to help locate the vehicle.  Reservations can also be made over the phone or by using the Zipcar website.  

“Zipcar is thrilled to welcome UMass Lowell to the Zipcar University program, and it is excited to help the University offer alternative, convenient and sustainable transportation options for its campus community,” said Mark Norman, Zipcar president and COO.  “Since every Zipcar takes approximately 15 privately owned vehicles off the road, Zipcar will help the campus reduce its overall carbon footprint and impact on the environment.”

Zipcar has established partnerships with more than 230 universities in North America, including Boston College, Boston University and Tufts University.  For more information, including how to become a member of Zipcar at UMass Lowell, please visit www.zipcar.com/uml.  

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world's leading car-sharing service with more than 605,000 members and over 9,000 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.

Zipcar and the Zipcar logo are trademarks of Zipcar, Inc. Photos and b-roll footage are available for media purposes at www.zipcar.mediaroom.com.

About UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell is a comprehensive, national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its 15,000 students bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, education, fine arts, health and environment, humanities, liberal arts, management, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be ready for work, for life and for all the world offers. www.uml.edu

###

Media Contacts:
Colleen McCormick, Public Relations Specialist, Zipcar
(617) 336-4342
cmccormick@zipcar.com

Christine Gillette, Assistant Director of Media Relations, UMass Lowell
978-934-2209
Christine_Gillette@uml.edu