OSU partners with Zipcar to offer car sharing on campus


Share this article! Oregon State University has launched a new partnership with Zipcar, an international car sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car sharing program on campus. This transportation option is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of … Read more

Oregon State University has launched a new partnership with Zipcar, an international car sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car sharing program on campus.

This transportation option is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community over the age of 21.

OSU will initially house four vehicles, including a Ford Escape and a Honda Civic. The Zipcars will have designated parking spots located in a campus lot near Fairbanks Hall, on 26th and Jefferson, and in the small lot northeast of the International Living and Learning Center, for convenient pick-up and return.

This year, OSU members can join for just $15, with rates for Zipcar vehicles on campus starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $25. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days. OSU students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/oregonstate. Rates are higher for non-OSU community members.

Meredith Williams, director of Transportation Services at Oregon State University, said car sharing can encourage employees and students to explore alternative transportation to and from the university.

“We often hear people say that having car sharing on campus makes it possible to commute by carpool or bike, because it provides an easy option to run personal errands in the middle of the day.”

Members with iPhones and Android devices may download the Zipcar mobile app to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle. Reservations can also be made over the phone or on Zipcar’s website.  

“The Zipcar program on campus gives students, faculty and staff the freedom of using a car without the hassle of owning one,” said Katelyn Bushey, Zipcar director of university sales. “We’re happy to partner with OSU to give their community a transportation option to fit their needs and their wallet.”

 Zipcar has established relationships with more than 500 universities across North America. For more information on how to become a member of Zipcar at OSU, please visit www.zipcar.com/oregonstate.  Additional information and promotions can also be found by following @Zipcar on Twitter.

 

About Oregon State University: OSU is one of only two U.S. universities designated a land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant institution. OSU is also Oregon’s only university to hold both the Carnegie Foundation’s top designation for research institutions and its prestigious Community Engagement classification. Its more than 26,000 students come from all 50 states and more than 90 nations. OSU programs touch every county within Oregon, and its faculty teach and conduct research on issues of national and global importance.