PRESS RELEASE DETAIL

Office of the Mayor-President


For release: IMMEDIATELY

Release Date: 12/14/2016

Mayor Holden announces launch of Zipcar downtown Baton Rouge

Dec. 14, 2016

For more information, contact:

John Price, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, (225) 389-3100
Susan Boudreaux, Mayor’s Office, (225) 389-5101
Michelle McCalope, Mayor’s Office, (225) 389-7957

As part of the City-Parish’s ongoing efforts to help improve and transform downtown Baton Rouge, Mayor-President Melvin L. Kip Holden announced today the launch of the Zipcar pilot program in downtown Baton Rouge.

Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing network, providing on-demand, self-service vehicles for people who don’t own a car as well as for those who have a car, but want access to a second without buying one. As part of the City-Parish partnership, Zipcar will provide four cars at various locations downtown that can be reserved on an hourly or daily basis. The cars are located in designated spots for convenient pick up and drop off.

“We’re excited to give our residents and visitors another option for getting around town,” said Mayor Holden. “We also hope to achieve additional cost savings in the City Parish coffers by reducing the size of our fleet and using Zipcars instead.”

“Baton Rouge is the first city in the state of Louisiana to launch a Zipcar program and we couldn’t be more excited to bring our service to the area,” said Vilaire Lazard, Zipcar general manager. “Residents now have access to wheels when they want them without having to own a car or buy a second.”

Zipcar’s membership fee is $7 per month or $70 per year with hourly rates ranging from $8 to $10 per hour, including the cost of gas, maintenance, insurance and 180 miles of driving. Prospective members can join instantly on the mobile app, as well as online or over the phone. The Zipcar program is also active at LSU and the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

The pilot program will last for a year. Metro Council must approve any extension of the program. For more information, call (225) 389-3100.

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