Metro will soon begin offering car sharing services to more customers at more Metrorail stations as a result of a new partnership with Enterprise CarShare.
Metro on April 21 announced that effective June 1, Enterprise will start providing car sharing service at 125 Metro-owned parking spaces located in 45 Metrorail stations and, in the near future, will expand up to 190 spaces. The revenue-generating contract with Enterprise will compensate Metro throughout a five-year term and was based on a Best Value procurement process.
The partnership will benefit customers by adding 70 additional car share spaces and four additional Metrorail parking facilities. The four additional Metrorail stations that will offer car share spaces under the new contract are Deanwood, East Falls Church, Forest Glen and Morgan Boulevard.
“I am pleased that we can now offer more car sharing vehicles at more Metrorail station parking facilities,” said Patrick Schmitt, director of parking at Metro. “This is a value-added service for our car share customers and I encourage them to sign up for the new Enterprise CarShare service today.”
The partnership with Enterprise extends the reach of Metrorail and Metrobus by giving riders who may not own a personal vehicle flexibility and easy access to vehicles conveniently located at or near rail stations.
Car sharing services have been offered at Metrorail stations since 2001, allowing Metro customers to pick up a vehicle just steps from the train or bus to run errands, shop or reach any other business or social event not easily accessible via public transportation. Members of the car-sharing service pay an annual fee, along with hourly and daily rates for the use of a vehicle, which also includes gas, insurance and a guaranteed spot where the car is parked. However, as part of Enterprise’s special introductory offer, the annual fee and application cost (a $65 value) are being waived until July 31.
“We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to including Metro’s customers as part of our local network,” said Michelle Bosch, vice president of Enterprise Holdings, which owns and operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand as well as the Enterprise CarShare program in the Washington D.C. area. “In fact, Enterprise has been offering car-sharing services in the U.S. since 2007, a reflection of our long-term commitment to providing sustainable transportation options at the grassroots level.”
Metro is advising customers of the change in car share providers via email and printed signage. Customers who today use ZipCar services at Metrorail stations are encouraged to register with Enterprise to ensure uninterrupted access to vehicles after the June 1 change.
To become a member and take advantage of the vehicles parked at these stations, visitwww.enterprisecarshare.com/DCMetro. For customers already registered with Metro’s previous car share provider, register with Enterprise today so that service will remain uninterrupted.
