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BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

Emery Go-Round Begins Car Sharing Program

October 2007

The Emeryville Transportation Management Association and Flexcar have launched a citywide car-sharing program for both businesses and residents. A special parcel tax which supports the Emery Go Round free shuttle bus service and paid primarily by Emeryville commercial property owners, has made this new car sharing service possible.

The program is starting with four, fuel-efficient Toyota Prius hybrids in four “neighborhoods” – at the Emeryville Public Market facing Christie Street; at the Emeryville Amtrak Station on Horton Street; at Novartis on 53rd Street near Hollis; and at Pixar on 45th Street near Doyle Street. All of the cars are available for use 24/7.

This new program is intended to encourage more people who work and live in Emeryville to use public transportation such as the Emery Go Round, or to walk, bike, or carpool to work, by making cars available for “occasional” meetings, errands, emergencies and other purposes available on an hourly, as-needed basis.

Flexcar, a national car-sharing company with thousands of cars in major markets throughout the country, allows people to have access to a car at work without having to drive to the office. The cars are located adjacent to or near high density work sites, and are available for hourly or daily use on a moment’s notice. Residents who live nearby take advantage of the cars in evenings and on weekends and often sell their ‘second” car, with car-sharing and car rentals filling in the gaps.

Members simply reserve the car via the Internet or Flexcar’s toll-free reservation system; then use the car with their “Flexcard” – a special access card that unlocks the vehicles. A simple, hourly rate includes gas, insurance, parking, mileage, and 24/7 assistance. Users can bill to either a personal or business account, depending on the nature of their trip.

Uses typically range from off-site meetings to quick trips to an airport or last-minute, mid-day appointments. Car-sharing is having a dramatic impact in reducing single occupancy driving in communities – each shared car can take up to 15 private vehicles off the road.

Many businesses are finding car-sharing an efficient means of replacing pool cars and reimbursing employees for mileage. They receive a monthly statement detailing employee use/purpose of trips in a single bill; administrative oversight and coordination is minimal.

Companies can become Corporate Members of Flexcar and authorize which employees are eligible for the car-sharing program. Flexcar confirms the eligibility of individual employees upon enrollment. Any business use is then billed to your company account – if employees use the Flexcar for personal use, those trips are billed to the employees’ personal credit card.

Individuals can also become members – and enjoy the same access to car-sharing as companies.

Another great advantage is the ability to reserve a Flexcar in other major markets – from Seattle to Los Angeles; Chicago, Washington DC, and dozens more when you’re traveling either for business or pleasure.

For a limited time, the Emeryville TMA and four corporate partners – The Emeryville Public Market; Novartis; Pixar and Wareham Development (Emery Station/Amtrak) – are underwriting the car-sharing program. Because of this subsidy, members of the Emeryville TMA, which include most businesses and commercial properties in Emeryville, can join the program at no cost and will receive a special, TMA discounted rate for car usage. (Approximately a 25% discount off market rates). Non-TMA members (residents and companies not affiliated with the TMA) are welcome to join and use the Flexcars at market rates.

Wendy Silvani, director of the TMA, encourages both companies and individuals to join. “After all,” she noted, “it costs nothing to join and since you only pay when you actually reserve and use the vehicles, it’s a no-risk offer. If you never use it, you’re not out anything. If you do have a need, you’re all set to go at a moment’s notice.”

For more information, contact the TMA at egoround@aol.com or by calling at 510-451-3862.