Zipcar starts car sharing service in Philly

Philadelphia residents now have another transportation alternative, as Zipcar has started service in the City of Brotherly love.

Zipcar launches with 110 vehicles, including 20 hybrid Toyota Priuses, located throughout Center City, Queen Village and University City. Zipcar also has completed integration with Flexcar, following its October merger.

Overall, Zipcar has attracted more than 180,000 members in 50 cities across the U.S., Canada and London, to share its fleet of 5,000 vehicles. With its arrival in Philadelphia, Zipcar brings the industry-leading car-sharing member experience to local residents and businesses. Zipcar member benefits include:

• No per-mile charges: All Zipcar reservations come with 180 free miles each day. Reserve a car for two days? - Zipcar gives you 360 free miles.

• Award-winning technology: Members access the vehicles through Zipcar's industry-leading technology platform. The proprietary platform fully connects the information flow between vehicles, members and Zipcar.com, allowing for transparent, real-time information resulting in faster reservation processing, simple billing, and instant maintenance alerts to field fleet staff.

• Mobile service to match Philly residents' on-the-go life: With the industry's only mobile application, Zipcar members can completely manage their Zipcar experience from their favorite web-enabled mobile device. Members have on-the-go access to Zipcar's online reservation system, and can download a GPS enabled widget that allows them one- text message alerts about their reservation and additional options.

• Universal membership: The Zipcar membership enables the self-service reservation of any vehicle in any city in the Zipcar network, including more than 5,000 cars across 50 cities in the US, Canada, and UK.

• Simple, all inclusive pricing: Zipcar's two simple pricing plans allow members to choose between an occasional driving plan with no monthly commitment and a frequent driver plan with discounts up to 15%.

• Hybrids, hybrids, hybrids: With gas prices on the rise, Zipcar is encouraging more Philadelphians to go green by lowering its rates on all hybrid vehicles to $6 per hour, including 180 free miles, gas, maintenance, and insurance.

"Nationwide, we have shown that Zipcar is a simple, cost-effective solution to parking, congestion, and urban emission challenges," says Scott Griffith, chairman and CEO of Zipcar. "Each Zipcar put on the road takes up to 15 personally owned cars off the streets. Our cars are here and ready to drive in Philly and we look forward to introducing Philadelphians to the Zipcar lifestyle."

The integration touched on many areas of the company, including Zipcar's technology, fleet, membership, marketing and pricing. The technology was flawlessly transferred to the Zipcar system, with no down time in member services, and minimal down time for the vehicle fleet. All marketing, including new visor organizers, vehicle branding, and consumer and business marketing materials, were integrated under the Zipcar brand.

For more information, visit www.zipcar.com.