- Valpo brings environmentally friendly car sharing to campus
Valparaiso University 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 cost-effective and convenient transportation option is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over.
"As a community working to promote sustainability and preserve our environment, the addition of Zipcars to our campus is a big plus,” said Valparaiso University President Mark A. Heckler. “I think our students will appreciate Zipcars as a convenient form of transportation that is easy to access and also environmentally friendly.”
This year, Valparaiso University members can join for $25, with rates on campus Zipcar vehicles starting 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. To join, visit www.zipcar.com/valpo.
Valparaiso University will initially offer two vehicles, including a Ford Focus and Toyota Prius, which will be located in campus lot 14 near Harre Union. Zipcars are self-service and can be easily reserved and accessed 24 hours a day on Zipcar’s website.
“The application process is simple and painless – it doesn’t take much to set up the account – and once ready, you can have a car reserved at your convenience without any hassle of extra paperwork, and no need to worry about insurance or gas,” said Ben Fischer, a 2011 Valpo graduate and current employee who does not own a car. “The Zipcar program allows me the opportunity to do the necessary things around town without the cost and responsibility of owning my own car.”
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. Members can also use Zipcar’s “Reserve a Zipcar” app on Facebook to view available Zipcars and make, extend or cancel a reservation all from their Facebook account. Reservations can also be made over the phone or by using the Zipcar website.
“We are thrilled to welcome Valparaiso University to the Zipcar University program, and are excited to help the campus offer cost-effective, convenient and sustainable transportation options for its students, faculty and staff,” said Michael Serafino, General Manager, Zipcar University. “Zipcar will give students who don’t have access to a car the freedom and flexibility to participate in off-campus activities like internships and job interviews. At the same time, students and faculty members alike can be proud that they are reducing their environmental impact and lowering their carbon footprint by using alternative transportation methods like carsharing.”
The city of Valparaiso has partnered with the University and provided financial support in bringing the cars to campus, which are available for use by the public as well. For more information, including how to become a member of Zipcar at Valparaiso University, please visit zipcar.com/valpo.
