Zipcar Sharing Program Hits The University of Washington Tacoma

Today, the University of Washington Tacoma (UW Tacoma) launched a new partnership with Zipcar, Inc., the world’s leading car-sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car-sharing program 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. UW Tacoma students, faculty, staff and local community members can join today at www.zipcar.com/uwtacoma.  

This year, UW Tacoma members can join for $25. Rates on campus Zipcar vehicles start as low as $7 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.

“We look forward to partnering with Zipcar in helping our students, staff and faculty reduce their cost of living and help relieve parking congestion on campus,” said Jennifer Burley, employee transportation coordinator at UW Tacoma. “Zipcar’s car-sharing service also promotes the use of alternative forms of transportation to and from campus, an additional environmental benefit.” 

UW Tacoma will offer two vehicles to start, including a Honda Insight hybrid and a Ford Focus which will be located in Cragle Parking Lot at 21st and C streets. They are parked in spaces clearly marked with a Zipcar sign.

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 a convenient and cost-efficient transportation alternative that will help make it easier for students to get around town, as well as run personal errands like picking up groceries, going to the mall or even getting away for the weekend,” said Mark Norman, Zipcar president and COO. “And, further benefiting the campus community, every Zipcar removes at least 15 personally-owned cars from the road, which can help reduce UW Tacoma’s overall carbon footprint.”

“It is great to see the university expanding its transportation options with Zipcar, and I know the student body will appreciate the smart, environmentally friendly service as well as the cost-friendly aspect of Zipcar,” said Joseph Franco, a UW Tacoma student.  

Zipcar has established partnerships with more than 250 universities, including University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University and Washington State University. For more information, including how to become a member of Zipcar at UW Tacoma, please visit www.zipcar.com/uwtacoma.