Zipcar Launches "Zipvan" Cargo Van Service and New Monthly Membership Plan in Toronto
New Offerings Make it Easier to "Get Out and Zip" in Toronto This Summer
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Zipcar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIP), the world's leading car sharing network, today announced the expansion of its suite of offerings in Toronto with the launch of the "Zipvan" cargo van service and a new pilot for a monthly membership plan. Both new offerings are designed to make Zipcar membership as convenient and cost-effective as possible for Toronto residents just in time for summer, which is traditionally one of the most popular times of the year for moving, road trips and excursions.
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The Zipvan cargo van service is officially launching in Toronto with 15 Ford E-150 full size cargo vans available in Zipcar pod locations throughout the city, including Queen West, North York, Waterfront, Danforth and Liberty Village. The vans are available for hourly or daily use with rates starting at $14.75 per hour and $104 per day. As with all vehicles in the Zipcar fleet, Zipvan pricing includes gas, insurance, parking, roadside assistance and up to 200 kilometers of driving per day, with no hidden fees or fuel surcharges.
"Zipsters who are moving apartments on the busy July 1 moving day or who need to move large or bulky items can now take advantage of the convenience of using Zipvan cargo vans, in addition to the many pickup trucks and SUVs already offered by Zipcar in numerous locations throughout the city," said Christian Demers, general manager of Zipcar Toronto. "Zipvans are also a great option for local small businesses and community non-profits to help reduce their costs for transporting goods and supplies."
The vans include two up-front seats and over six and a half cubic meters of cargo space – enough for a queen-sized mattress – enabling members to pick up furniture purchased from Craigslist or IKEA, transport musical equipment or move apartments. They also offer a rear-view camera to make driving the vans as easy as possible. For more information, visit www.zipvan.com.
In addition to Zipvan, Zipcar's new monthly membership option is also now available for Toronto residents. Those opting to join under Zipcar's new monthly membership plan will pay a $6 per month membership fee, in addition to the standard $30 application fee at the time of joining. Those who join under this plan also have the option to add an additional member to their account for just $3 per month. There is a six-month minimum requirement for the monthly membership option in Toronto, and members can switch to an annual plan at any time.
"We know that some Toronto residents may be thinking about joining Zipcar but want to test it out first. We also know that the up-front costs are sometimes prohibitive to joining a car sharing program, especially in today's economic climate. We hope the new 'pay per month' option will benefit those seeking a lower initial cost to join, as well as those looking for access to a set of wheels only on a seasonal basis – for a summer long weekend trip to Wasaga Beach or a winter ski trip to Blue Mountain, for example – without an annual commitment," continued Demers.
An alternative to car ownership, Zipcars can be reserved for as short as an hour or for several days, with rates starting as low as $9 per hour and $78 per day (24 hours) in Toronto. The new monthly membership plan is being introduced in addition to Zipcar's annual membership options, which start from $65 per year plus the one-time $30 application fee. Extra value plans are also available. Members under all membership plans have access to Zipcar's full range of vehicles, including the new Zipvan cargo vans. For more information about becoming a member of Zipcar in Toronto, visit www.zipcar.com.
About Zipcar
Zipcar is the world's leading car-sharing service with more than 700,000 members and 9,000 vehicles in urban areas and college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Spain. Zipcar offers more than 30 makes and models of self-service vehicles by the hour or day to residents and businesses looking for an alternative to the high costs and hassles of owning a car. More information is available at www.zipcar.com. Photos and b-roll footage are available for media purposes at www.zipcar.mediaroom.com.
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SOURCE Zipcar, Inc.
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http://www.zipcar.com
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