Zipcar and the University of California, Berkeley's Transportation Sustainability Research Center (TSRC), released the findings of a first-of-its kind study of Zipcar’s carsharing service on North American college and university campuses.
The results show that carsharing programs enable 30% of students who live on campus to leave their car at home, according to the study.
Respondents also report saving money on transportation after joining Zipcar and having the freedom to go where they want, when they want, with the wheels they want.
"Traffic and the lack of parking are growing problems on college and university campuses as student car owners continue to outnumber available parking," said Susan Shaheen, co-director, UC Berkeley TSRC. "This first-ever study of Zipcar carsharing on college and university campuses shows that implementing an on-campus carsharing program can help to alleviate these concerns and improve the well-being of students, faculty, and staff, providing greater accessibility and mobility without the burden of circling for a spot, feeding a meter, or obtaining a permit."
More than 10,000 university students, faculty, and staff participated in the survey, with students making up 90% percent of the respondents.
Some key findings include:
- Thirty percent of on-campus students said they would have brought a car to campus if Zipcar wasn't available.
- More than 40% are less likely to buy a car in the next few years because of Zipcar.
- Eighty-two percent of students and 66% of staff/faculty are car-free.
- Nearly 60% use public transit at least once a month.
- After joining Zipcar, 81% bike the same amount or more and 86% walk the same or more.
- Nearly 70% of university Zipcar members say Zipcar has improved their quality of life, and the same proportion say Zipcar is important or very important to them.
- Two in five said they save money on transportation as a result of their membership, putting an average of nearly $20 per month back in their pockets.
"The solution to campus parking isn't more spots and lots; it's offering smarter, more sustainable mobility options that give students the freedom to go where they want, when they want, without bringing a car to school," said Katelyn Bushey, Zipcar’s director of university programs. "Sixteen years ago, we launched Zipcar at a single university, making it our mission to make campuses better places to live and learn. Now, we're at more than 500 colleges and universities in North America, and this study confirms that we've delivered on that mission."
Click here for more information on Zipcar's carsharing service at colleges and universities.
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