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BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

Watergate Gets Car Sharing

Special to The Emeryville Connection
Contributor
May 2008

The addition of a fifth car-sharing pod on the Watergate Peninsula has made citywide car-sharing a reality in Emeryville.

Through its unique partnership with the Emeryville TMA, Zipcar has placed another hybrid car at the Watergate Office Towers. The car, located in the surface parking lot adjacent to the main entry to the office complex and the 1900 Tower building, is available and accessible 24/7 to both employees and residents along the Peninsula.

With cars on the Peninsula, at the Public Market, at Emery Station/Amtrak, and on 53rd and 45th Streets, car-sharing is now accessible to everyone in Emeryville within a short walk or via the Emery Go Round.

The program, which began with four cars late last fall, already has over 150 Emeryville workers and residents using the fuel-efficient hybrids for business and personal use. Car-sharing offers access to vehicles when they’re needed, charging members only for their reservation/actual usage. A flat, hourly rate covers gas, up to 180 miles per day, insurance, and maintenance. Research proves that each car-share takes 15 to 20 vehicles off the road. Access to a car-share also increases use of public transit and other non-driving modes of transportation; reduces car ownership and vehicular trips among members.

In addition to being the first city in the Bay Area to offer citywide car-sharing, Emeryville is also the first to have on-street parking for two of its cars.

Employees who work in Emeryville are eligible for free membership ($75 in savings) in Zipcar and reduced hourly rates for car use. Residents have the same access to cars at market rates (currently $9/hour). Zipcar will also waive the $50 membership fee for Emeryville residents joining the program between now and June 30th. For more information or to join, please send the TMA an email at egoround@aol.com with your Emeryville work or home address; then apply for membership online at www.zipcar.com/emeryvilletma.