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Upstate brings Zipcar ride-sharing program to campus

Upstate brings Zipcar ride-sharing program to campus

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Upstate Medical 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 convenient transportation option is now available at an affordable rate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over.

This year, Upstate members can join for a $25 annual membership fee, with rates on campus Zipcar vehicles starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day. Gas, insurance, reserved parking spots, up to 180 miles of driving per day and roadside assistance are included in Zipcar rates. Cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days. Upstate students, faculty and staff can join at www.zipcar.com/upstate.

“Upstate is delighted to partner with Zipcar and provide our campus, and especially our students, with this easy, ecological friendly way to explore Central New York and beyond,” said Sharon Huard, associate dean for student affairs.

“Introducing Zipcar to the Upstate campus continues our work on fulfilling our sustainability mission,” added Tom Pelis, assistant vice president for facilities and planning.  “Providing this alternative to students, faculty and employees will reduce daily commuter traffic and lessen Upstate’s carbon footprint.”

Upstate will initially offer two vehicles, including Ford Focus and Honda Civic models, which will be located in campus lots near Geneva Tower.  Zipcars are self-service and can be easily reserved and accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Participating members with smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, may download the Zipcar mobile application to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles and 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 on Zipcar’s website.

Michael Serafino, general manager for Zipcar University said, “We see our partnership with Upstate Medical University as a win-win. Together, we're enabling this next generation of student drivers to experience a new generation of cars and transportation in a way that is convenient and cost-effective, not to mention fun.”

With the new Zipcar program available on campus, student organizations at Upstate also now have the opportunity to participate in the “Students with Drive” grant program sponsored by Zipcar and Ford Motor Company, which provides students with free Zipcar memberships and driving credits to support student organizations on campus.

Through the Students with Drive grant program, Ford and Zipcar will provide $300,000 in grants to be awarded to student organizations at eligible Zipcar colleges and universities. The program is running now through April 2013 and will culminate with one student organization being awarded a grand prize of $5,000 in Zipcar credits, $10,000 cash for the student organization to put toward its cause and $10,000 to be awarded to the winning school. For more information and to participate in the program, students can visit the “Students with Drive” tab on Zipcar’s University Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ZipcarU.

Zipcar has established partnerships with other local universities including Syracuse University, along with more than 250 universities across the United States. For more information and how to become a member of go to Zipcar at Upstate Medical University.

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