PhillyCarShare is expanding its program in University City with the addition of new Chevy Volt extended range vehicles and pod locations, as well as special discounted rates through a partnership with Drexel University. Two Volts were added at a new pod location at 33rd and Cherry Streets, and an existing pod at 34th and Market Streets will add another vehicle. The University pods expand on the ongoing efforts by PhillyCarShare to offer members more alternative fueled vehicle options. PhillyCarShare, which was acquired last August 2011 by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, has also added four new Chevy Volts, located at the Standard Parking garage at 11th and Filbert. PhillyCarShare members can reserve the Volt online just as they do for other vehicles at www.phillycarshare.com. Enterprise also recently replaced 100 percent of the PhillyCarShare fleet with new cars and added more cars and neighborhood locations. In University City, this includes more than 20 locations and more than 50 vehicles, including fuel efficient models, Prius hybrids and specialty vehicles such as minivans. “We are working with PhillyCarShare to make it more convenient for students, faculty and professional staff to access and use this popular and affordable transportation option,” said David Jost, director of Parking Services at Drexel University. “Those applying for personal memberships will have a choice of two rate plans.” As part of the partnership with Drexel, PhillyCarShare will waive the $25 application fee and offer discounts on yearly plans for all student, faculty and professional staff participants at Drexel, and free business accounts for any University department or group. Campus car-sharing programs are especially popular with students because they provide a solution to car rental age restrictions, as well as financial concerns associated with having a car on campus. All Drexel students (19 and older) with a credit card and valid driver’s license are eligible for membership, which offers around-the-clock access to hourly, daily and overnight rentals. Fuel, basic physical damage to the vehicle and state-required liability protection are included in the standard rate plan. PhillyCarShare is an extension of Enterprise Rent-A-Car and is supported by a local network of 50 Enterprise locations in the greater Philadelphia area, and the extensive Enterprise neighborhood network of more than 5,500 rental offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. With more than twice as many neighborhood locations as its nearest competitor, Enterprise’s home-city business model includes WeCar by Enterprise car sharing, plus a wide variety of car leasing, vanpooling and hourly rental programs throughout the country. “We’re pleased that PhillyCarShare is expanding its presence in University City and hope the new EVs and locations, as well as discounted rates, will encourage even more drivers to choose the benefits and convenience of car-sharing,” said James Callaham regional vice president of Enterprise in Philadelphia. “PhillyCarShare’s expanded car-sharing program will make it easier for drivers in University City to maintain the benefits of a personal car while only paying for the vehicle when it is being used.” Enterprise recruits and hires graduates from Drexel each year and has about 10 Drexel alumni currently working throughout the company.
