Zipcar, Inc., the world’s leading car sharing network, today joined the City of West Hollywood to announce Zipcar’s expansion into West Hollywood. The new Zipcar program will provide West Hollywood residents, businesses and visitors with increased access to affordable, convenient transportation options that are proven to reduce congestion and emissions.

The Zipcar program will launch with 10 vehicles in reserved on-street parking spots in five locations throughout West Hollywood.  Zipcar vehicles will be located in pods of two on Fountain Avenue east of Vista Street, Orlando Avenue south of Santa Monica Boulevard, as well as Poinsettia Place, Orange Grove Avenue, Hancock Avenue all north of Santa Monica Boulevard.  Zipcar and the City of West Hollywood worked closely together to determine locations for the cars in areas with heavy foot traffic and access to public transportation, to offer high levels of convenience for area members.

“West Hollywood is a city that has been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to urban planning and citizen/resident services,” said Mayor John J. Duran. “Zipcar is one of those initiatives that fit right into West Hollywood’s approach to smart urban planning and living; I’m happy to welcome them to our city for the betterment of our community.”

“The partnership we have forged with Zipcar is designed to give residents and visitors an option when they have need a car for a short period of time,” said West Hollywood Councilmember John Heilman.  “The program is very popular in a number of locations in the country and in Southern California. We hope it will be equally successful in West Hollywood.”

As an environmentally friendly transportation option, Zipcar will help to reduce West Hollywood’s carbon footprint.  National studies have shown that each car shared takes 15 privately owned vehicles off the road, and that vehicle miles traveled per driver is reduced almost 50 percent when car owners switch to car sharing. 

“We’re thrilled to launch this new Zipcar program in West Hollywood and congratulate the City Council on their commitment to embracing innovative transportation options for the city,” said Dan Grossman, Zipcar’s regional vice president, West Coast.  “The Zipcar program in West Hollywood comes as a result of strong member demand in the greater Los Angeles area, and we’re excited to be able to serve our West Hollywood members through our brand new office on Cahuenga Boulevard, which we just opened this past December.”

The Zipcar program in West Hollywood is available to local residents and visitors, as well as to employees of local businesses through the company’s “Zipcar for Business” program that offers discounted driving Monday through Friday.  Zipcar for Business helps businesses save money, meet environmental sustainability goals and reduce parking requirements by providing their employees with access to Zipcars for business meetings and more.

Gas, reserved parking spots, insurance, roadside assistance and up to 180 miles per day are included in the hourly and daily Zipcar rates. Cars can be reserved for as short as an hour or for several days.