Hertz On Demand signs Lufthansa contract

The Hertz Corporation has announced its global car sharing business Hertz On Demand is now serving as the operator of Lufthansa CarPool for the airline’s employees, making Hertz the leading player in the corporate car sharing sector.

Hertz will supply and maintain more than 1,000 vehicles equipped with Hertz On Demand car sharing technology as well as operate the CarPool booking system.

A wide range of vehicles at attractively priced rates are available at convenient locations for the employees of Deutsche Lufthansa and the company’s partner firms at the airports in Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg.

The agreement is to run for an initial period of three years.
Mark Frissora, chairman and chief executive of Hertz Corporation said: “Our innovative Hertz On Demand car share concept proved compelling to Lufthansa because it provides the ideal solution for the individual mobility needs of airline staff.
“We are proud to be cooperating with one of the world’s leading airlines as well as becoming the number one player in the field of corporate car sharing.”

Hertz On Demand offers Lufthansa and the airline’s affiliate employees a 24/7 service all year round.
The technology-equipped vehicles can be picked up and returned at any time. After signing up to the service, staff can make their car reservations via the internet, a mobile webpage, or by an iPhone app.
The vehicles are unlocked using a Hertz RFID-enabled token that dispenses with the need for a key.
Ralf Diederichs, head of travel management & mobility services, Lufthansa, said: “The Lufthansa Carpool powered by Hertz On Demand is an attractive offering for our employees.

“With its unique car sharing technology, wide range of vehicles and 24/7 service, Hertz On Demand provides us with the right answer for the mobility needs of our personnel.”
The new Lufthansa CarPool powered by Hertz on Demand offers registered users a wide choice of vehicles.

The selection ranges from Fiat 500s and Ford Fiestas through to station wagons and SUVs. In addition, seven-seaters or transporters are available for either short- or long-term rental.
One-way rentals between Lufthansa CarPool locations are possible and serve to increase vehicle flexibility.

Source : BreakingTravelNews, March 28, 2013

Lake Forest College adds car-sharing as an affordable means of transportation

In a partnership with WeCar by Enterprise, eligible College students, faculty, and staff will have round-the-clock access to two cars.

WeCar by Enterprise is a membership-based, automated car rental option that offers a sustainable, efficient and cost-effective transportation alternative. Registered members will have access to two Nissan Versa vehicles, which will be parked on the College's Middle Campus.

Lake Forest College students (18 and older), faculty, and staff are eligible for membership in WeCar, which offers around-the-clock access to hourly, daily, and overnight rentals. WeCar allows members to maintain the benefits of a personal car while only paying for the vehicle when it is being used. Campus car-sharing programs are especially popular with students because they provide a solution to car rental age restrictions, as well as financial concerns associated with having a car on campus.

“In a survey last spring, students identified car sharing as a benefit they would like to see on campus, and we’re glad to bring it to them through our partnership with Enterprise,” said Lake Forest’s Dean of Students Rob Flot. “In addition to the shuttle buses and METRA train service, car sharing gives our community yet another way to get around without the hassle and cost of owning a car.”

Beginning Monday, March 25, members can reserve a vehicle online, then access the vehicle using a membership card and return it to the same location. The basic membership costs $35 and includes $35 in driving credit. The hourly rate is $8 on weekdays and $8.50 on weekends. Fuel, basic physical damage to the vehicle and state-required liability protection are included in the standard rate plan.

“WeCar provides students at Lake Forest College with a low-cost, convenient transportation solution located right on the campus,” said Ryan Johnson, assistant vice president at Enterprise Holdings. “Our Enterprise CarShare network offers a sustainable, totally automated and efficient mobility option that can help alleviate parking and transportation challenges at universities across the United States.”

Along with operating six rental locations in the North Shore area around Lake Forest, Enterprise recruits and hires graduates from Lake Forest College each year. A brand ambassador internship program has been established at Lake Forest College to market the car-sharing service on campus.

 

WeCar by Enterprise operates car-sharing programs on more than 50 college campuses throughout the United States and Canada, as well as corporate, government, military and downtown programs throughout the United States.

 

Lake Forest College is an undergraduate institution located 30 miles north of downtown Chicago, with students from nearly every state in the nation and 79 countries around the world.

Source : Chicago Tribune, by Nemcek, March 26th, 2013

Take Advantage of Car Sharing on Campus

University of Tennessee staff, and students eighteen and older now have access to Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing service.
Representatives from Zipcar were on campus last February 21st with information on how to sign up and get started.

Two Zipcars are parked on campus, a Ford Focus and a Honda Civic. The cars are parked near Presidential Courtyard at the intersection of 20th Street and Andy Holt Avenue. Discounted hourly rates for faculty, staff, and students start at $7.50 per hour and $69 per day.
Once you’re a member, reserve a self-service, on-demand car online or on your phone for as short as an hour or as long as four days. Let yourself into the car with your unique Zipcard. (The keys are already in the car.) Just make sure to return the car at the end of your reservation.

Zipcards take about three to five business days to receive through the mail, though Zipcar representatives on campus have a limited number of Zipcards for those who can’t wait to get started.
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Faculty and staff may sign up for the student fee of of $35 per year, though Zipcar is currently waiving the fee for the first year thanks to a grant form the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

Source : The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, February 21st, 2013

Car-sharing/rental services: Affordable and reliable alternative to owning a car?

Americans spend a lot of money on cars. To meet the growing need for flexibility, convenience and affordability in driving, short-term car-sharing/rental services are quickly becoming a reliable driving option.

In fact, 15% of U.S. adults have used a service like ZipCar, Car2Go or Scoot in the past or plan to in the future. More than one-third (35%) of those who don’t have a short-term rental service in their city or town wish they did. This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of CouponCabin from February 27th – March 1st, 2013 among 2,111 adults ages 18 and older.

For those U.S. adults who would consider using a short-term car-sharing/rental service, the top reason for doing so cited by nearly one-third (32%) is the opportunity to save money on gas. When asked for what other reasons they would consider using a short-term car-sharing/rental service, U.S. adults said the following:

*  Overall, it’s inexpensive – 31%
*  It’s convenient – 29%
*  For when family/guests visit – 24%
*  To avoid public transportation – 24%
*  So I wouldn’t have to own a car – 19%
*  For making purchases in which I need a car to transport the item (s) – 17%
*  Some other reason – 25%

Even though the vast majority (91%) of U.S. adults currently have a car in their household, 11% don’t own one personally. In addition, 9% don’t have personally own a car or have one in their household, which means they must turn to alternative ways to getting from point A to point B.

Taxis and public transportation are an option for some people, but short-term car-sharing/rental services can be more appealing. In fact, 74% of U.S. adults agree that short-term car-sharing/rental services are less expensive than taking taxis, and 70% agree they are a practical way to get around.

“Regardless of their car situation, many people are realising the wide variety of benefits to short-term car-sharing/rental services,” said Jackie Warrick, senior savings advisor at CouponCabin.com. “Not only do these services offer an inexpensive option for anyone to get around, they can make life easier and have a positive environmental effect.”

With 86% of U.S. adults spending at least some time in a car each day, and nearly one-third (32%) spending more than hour driving or as a passenger, it can mean a wide carbon footprint. Nearly seven-in-ten (69%) agree that short-term car-sharing/rental services can reduce the overall number of cars on the road, leading to less traffic congestion and overall pollution.

Source : BreakingTravelNews, March 19th, 2013