MSU Begins Car Share Program To Reduce Single Occupant Traffic
In an effort to promote car pooling, commuting and increased use of mass transit, Michigan State University has partnered with Zipcar to launch a pilot car-sharing program for the MSU community.
The program will put six cars on campus and will officially launch in January.
Zipcar, the world's leading car-sharing service, is an alternative transportation option that provides cars that can be reserved by the hour or day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Beginning in spring semester of 2011, students, faculty and staff will have access to special membership rates through MSU's dedicated Zipcar Web site. Reservations start at $8 per hour or $66 per day. Gas, insurance and up to 180 miles per day are included with each reservation.
In addition to being a transportation alternative, Zipcar will help MSU reduce its carbon footprint. Energy research firm Frost and Sullivan reports that, on average in North America, each car shared replaces 15 cars on the road.
"We would like to try this pilot to see if it can round out the suite of transportation options for our campus community," said Jennifer Battle, assistant director for campus sustainability. "We're hoping that with all the options available -- mass transit, car share, bikes, walking and so on -- people will feel more confident to leave their cars at home."
"Zipcar provides a convenient and cost-efficient transportation alternative which, when combined with the other transportation options at MSU, will help reduce the number of cars on campus," said Matt Malloy, vice president of global university operations at Zipcar. "This will result in more available parking, less congestion on campus and it will help Michigan State reduce its carbon footprint."
MSU is one of the more than 225 universities across the country to partner with Zipcar.
To learn more about the Zipcar car share program, visit www.zipcar.com.
For more information on other campus environmental initiatives, visit www.bespartangreen.msu.edu.
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