Flexcar Extends Car-Sharing Program; Innovative Program to Help Qualified People Access Employment, Training and Other Services

Business Wire, March 28, 2005

SEATTLE -- Flexcar, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation, and King County Metro Transit have partnered to create an innovative program aimed at giving qualified individuals access to a personal car to enable them to train for and secure full-time employment in King County, Wash.

"Transportation is often the biggest obstacle facing job-seekers, especially those in lower income households," said Patrice Davis, partnership coordinator at WorkSource Washington, a program of the Washington State Employment Security Department in Seattle. "Our programs help prepare people for the job search and interview process. But sometimes they can't get to an interview or access additional training with public transit, which hinders our efforts. By giving these people access to a car, more people can get better jobs faster."

The funding for this unique program comes under the federally-funded Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) program and enables clients of employment programs (such as WorkSource Washington) and other qualified individuals to use Flexcar for free on all trips that are related to job search or job training. The program also enables participants to access Flexcar at a significant discount for trips, such as child care, doctor's appointments or others that are related to mobility from the workplace.

The funding needed for the partnership with King County Metro Transit to implement the program was secured by several people at the national and state level. At the national level, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks played significant roles. At the state level, the House and Senate Transportation Committees of the Washington state legislature were instrumental.

"This will give thousands of families the tools to get a better paying job," said Senator Murray, who helped secure $2.5 million in federal funds for the effort. "It will remove one of the barriers that so many people face in getting job training, accessing day care or visiting a doctor."

Flexcar is working closely with a network of organizations, agencies and individuals to reach out to people in the community who need vehicle transportation for job-related tasks, such as interviews or training, as well as related needs, such as child care or health care. It is conducting a series of outreach programs at affordable housing centers, job training centers and other locations to inform and sign people up for the program. The goal is to bring more than 4,000 new members during the next 12 months.

"Flexcar's core value proposition of affordable, convenient access to a car on an hourly basis is just as valid for this audience as it is for our existing individual and corporate customers," said Lance Ayrault, Flexcar's president and CEO. "We have a history of partnering with public agencies to improve access to transportation and the quality of life in the communities in which we operate. This new program is very much aligned with that philosophy. We are thrilled to be able to offer this innovative program in Seattle and look forward to rolling out similar programs to other markets in the very near future."

Flexcar pioneered the rapidly growing car-sharing industry in the US, which allows program members to instantly reserve a car online or via touchtone phone, take a trip, return the car and receive a bill at the end of the month. Flexible pricing plans let people pay by the hour or by the month. Gas, insurance, maintenance, 24-7 emergency support and a reserved parking spot are included in the fee, making the cost of using Flexcar much more affordable than car ownership. Flexcar now has nearly 30,000 members sharing more than 350 cars in 5 major metropolitan areas with more markets soon to be added to the growing Flexcar Network.

About Flexcar

Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for nearly 30,000 members in more than 24 cities and counties in 5 states and the District of Columbia. With flexible pricing plans, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork, paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar's modern fleet includes sedans, gas-electric hybrids, electric cars and specialty vehicles including pickups and convertibles. Flexcar has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Parsons Transportation Group, Bristol Bay Native Corporation and American Honda Motor Company, Inc.

Editor's Note: Correct spelling and punctuation is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar, Flex-car, Flex Car or Flexicar.