Loyola Marymount University has partnered with Zipcar Inc. to provide a car-share program on campus that reduces the need for students to have a personal vehicle at school.

The program will start with two vehicles available by the hour or by the day on the Westchester campus.  Zipcars are an alternative to car ownership that reduce congestion, open parking spots and add an environmentally friendly transportation option at the Los Angeles university.

The cars are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to students, faculty and staff, age 18 and up.  Cars can be reserved and driven on an hourly basis or up to four days. Rates on all LMU-based Zipcars start at $8 per hour and $66 per 24-hour day.  Included in the rate are: gasoline, 180 miles per day, insurance, reserved parking spots and roadside assistance. The annual membership fee is $35 and LMU applicants receive a $35 credit that can be applied during their first month of driving.

Students and others praised the plan as an economical alternative to personal vehicles and added that the concept supports “Green LMU,” the campus commitment to sustainability and environmentally sensitive practices.

 “Zipcar fits well into LMU’s overall mission to educate, lead and take action to care for our world,” said Trey Duval, LMU director of campus recreation. “The program will ease congestion and help reduce our carbon footprint by making it possible for individuals to leave their cars at home.”

The cars will be parked on Rosecrans Lane, off Ignatian Circle.   Zipcar members can also download the Zipcar iPhone app that makes reservations, can honk the horn of an available Zipcar and unlock its doors.

“The service relieves the financial burden parents face when sending their children to college with a car that sits idle most of the time,” said Matt Malloy, Zipcar vice president of global university operations. “Members can use Zipcars to run errands, attend meetings or get away for the weekend but on a pay-as-you-go basis.”  
 
More information about Zipcar at LMU, including how to join, is available at: www.zipcar.com/lmu.