TORONTO, April 30, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an effort to provide sustainable and seamless transportation options, Zipcar, the world's leading car sharing network, and Metrolinx, Ontario's regional transportation agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, have teamed up to add six Zipcars that will be located on three GO Transit lines. The new locations will provide an integrated transit network for residents, businesses and visitors in the region, allowing Zipcar members to combine GO Transit and Zipcar trips for affordable, convenient and efficient transportation.
The six Zipcars will offer transit riders who are Zipcar members a trusted option for "wheels when they want them" on their transit trip. The availability of Zipcar allows members increased access to these communities and encourages the use of public transportation by providing a cost-effective and convenient travel option for transit riders whose destination may not be easily reached by other means from the GO station.
Zipcar vehicles will be available at the following GO stations starting May 1:
Lakeshore West Line:
- Port Credit
- Long Branch
- Mimico
Lakeshore East Line:
- Eglinton
- Scarborough
Richmond Hill Line:
- Richmond Hill
There are currently more than 500 Zipcars at more than 200 locations throughout Toronto, including a wide variety of makes and models, from MINI Coopers to minivans, from BMWs to pickups and from hybrids to cargo vans, making it easy to select the right vehicle for each trip.
"At GO Transit, we're working to bring more travel options to the region," said Greg Percy, president of GO Transit. "As we increase GO service, we're adding amenities like Zipcar at our GO stations to bring more transportation alternatives to our regular and occasional passengers."
GO's distinctive green and white trains and buses serve a population of more than seven million across more than 11,000 square kilometres. With the addition of Zipcar, GO Transit riders can keep their trip going by using more integrated transportation options that include car sharing, local transit, carpooling, electric vehicle charging, walking or biking.
"We know from Zipcar members that transit trips are often combined with car sharing. Some Zipsters ride the rails to get to a Zipcar, while others use Zipcar to get from a station to their destination," said Christian Demers, general manager, Zipcar Toronto. "By adding the option of Zipcar along these transit lines, we increase mobility options for our members in the area and provide more choice to GO riders."
Zipcar members can reserve the vehicles, which are parked in designated parking spots, on Zipcar's mobile app, online or over the phone. The newly added Zipcar vehicles are available for reservation 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Rates start as low as $9.25 per hour and $79 per day and include the cost of gas, a reserved parking spot, insurance, roadside assistance and up to 200 kilometres per day.
Metrolinx joins pioneering transportation organizations across North America that bridge the "last mile" of transit trips with Zipcar. These organizations include: San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Chicago Transit Authority, King County Metro Transit in Seattle, Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, New Jersey Transit, New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), Washington Area Metro Transit Authority, and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.
More information, including how to become a Zipcar member, is available via the web at http://www.zipcar.ca/gotransit , on Twitter and on Facebook .
About Zipcar
Zipcar, the world's leading car sharing network, has operations in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for smart, simple and convenient solutions to their urban and campus transportation needs. 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 Metrolinx
Metrolinx is working to provide residents and businesses in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with a transportation system that is modern, efficient and integrated. Find out more about The Big Move , Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan for the GTHA, as well as the Metrolinx divisions that are connecting and improving transportation for the region – GO Transit , PRESTO , and Union Pearson Express .
CONTACT: Press Contacts: CJ Himberg Zipcar - Public Relations 617.336.4537 chimberg@zipcar.com Anne-Marie Aikins Metrolinx - Media Relations 416.202.5796 AnneMarie.Aikins@metrolinx.com
