CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zipcar, Inc., the world's leading car sharing network, along with Mayor Kevin Johnson and the City of Sacramento Department of Transportation, today announced Zipcar's expansion into Sacramento, Calif.  This new program is the first car sharing program in Sacramento, and will provide residents, local businesses, government employees and visitors with increased access to affordable, convenient transportation options that are proven to reduce congestion and emissions.  

The program is launching with 10 vehicles, all of which will have reserved on-street parking spots throughout the City, and will be available in pods of two.  Two vehicles will be located directly in front of historic City Hall, on I Street between 9th and 10th streets. Additional locations will include the Capitol Walkway on L Street at 11th Street, as well as pods on J Street at 16th Street, 18th Street at Capitol Avenue, and on 28th Street at J Street.  

Zipcar and the City's Department of Transportation worked closely together to determine locations for the cars in mixed-use areas with heavy foot traffic and access to public transportation, to offer high levels of convenience for area members. The program is available to local residents, visitors, and government employees, as well as to employees of local businesses through the company's 'Zipcar for Business' program that offers discounted driving Monday through Friday.

"My hope is that downtown residents, workers and visitors will share in the excitement of bringing Zipcar to the Capitol of California. It's green, it will reduce demand for parking and may mean more people may be able to forego car ownership in favor of car-sharing. It's all good," said Mayor Johnson.  

In addition to the City launch, Zipcar is also slated to begin a University program at Sacramento State this fall, which will provide students, faculty, staff and local community members with increased access to Zipcars on the University's campus.

As an environmentally friendly transportation option, Zipcar will help to reduce Sacramento's carbon footprint.  National studies have shown that each car shared takes 15 privately owned vehicles off the road, and that vehicle miles traveled per driver is reduced almost 50 percent when car owners switch to car sharing.  

"We applaud the City of Sacramento and its commitment to embracing innovative transportation solutions for the community," said Dan Grossman, Zipcar's regional vice president, West Coast.  "As someone who spent many years living in Sacramento, including my time as a student at Sacramento State, I'm thrilled to introduce Zipcar here to help the city reduce congestion, CO2 emissions and demand for parking."

Gas, reserved parking spots, insurance, roadside assistance and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in the hourly and daily Zipcar rates. Cars can be reserved for as short as an hour or for up to four days. Rates on all vehicles start as low $8.50 per hour and $66 per day (24 hours).

For more information, including how to become a Zipcar member in Sacramento, please visit: www.zipcar.com.

About Zipcar

Zipcar is the world's leading car sharing network with more than 560,000 members and over 8,000 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car. More information is available at www.zipcar.com.