University of Arkansas Partners With Zipcar to Offer Car Sharing on Campus

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has launched a new partnership with Zipcar Inc., the world’s leading car-sharing network, to offer a Zipcar car-sharing program on campus. The convenient transportation option is now available at an affordable rate 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 ages 21 and over.

The U of A will initially offer two vehicles, a Ford Escape and a Ford Focus. The Zipcars will have designated parking spots located on campus, in lot 37, near the Garland Center, for convenient pickup and return. Zipcars are available on-demand and can be easily reserved and accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This year, University of Arkansas members can join for $25, 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 $35. 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. U of A students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/uark. 

“We are excited to be able to provide Zipcars for the students, faculty and staff,” said Gary Smith, director of U of A Transit and Parking. “This program will provide vehicles for students who do not have vehicles on campus, and we hope it encourages some students to leave their car at home and use the Zipcar program.”

Participating members with smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, may download the Zipcar mobile application 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.  

“Cost-savings, convenience, reduced demand for parking and less congestion on campus are just some of the benefits that we are confident the University of Arkansas community will experience by having Zipcar on campus,” said Katelyn Lopresti, general manager for Zipcar University. “Since each car shared takes approximately 15 privately owned vehicles off the road, Zipcar can also help the campus reduce its overall carbon footprint and impact on the environment.”

Zipcar has established relationships with more than 350 universities across North America. For more information and how to become a member of Zipcar at University of Arkansas, please visit www.zipcar.com/uark. Additional information and promotions can also be found by following @ZipcarU on Twitter.

About Zipcar

With more than 10,000 vehicles in hundreds of cities, towns, airports and college and corporate campuses around the world, Zipcar makes car sharing more available to more people in more places than any other provider. With its ONE>WAY and round-trip options, its wide variety of vehicles from premium brands to Zipvans, and its industry-leading business, government and FastFleet programs, Zipcar offers the most comprehensive, most convenient and most flexible car-sharing options available anywhere. Zipcar is a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR), a leading global provider of vehicle rental services. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.

About University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in a wide spectrum of disciplines. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and offers more than 200 academic programs. The university maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1 that promotes personal attention and mentoring opportunities. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas 69 among the 623 American public research universities, and the university’s goal is be top 50 by the celebration of its 150th anniversary in 2021.