ZipcarU shares rides with even more college and university students

When you think of environmentally friendly transportation on college and university campuses, you usually think of bicycles. But in cold winter weather, or when going off campus for errands or hauling more than the average backpack around, a Zipcar fits the bill.

For $8 per hour or $66 per day, and an annual fee, 1.7 million students, faculty, and staff have 24-hour access to Zipcars. The company now has ride-share programs on more than 225 campuses.

"We know that college students quickly embrace the concept of car sharing. This is the same generation that buys music by the song. Reserving a shared car by the hour is a natural extension," said Zipcar Chairman and CEO Scott Griffith. "We're also helping to support and engage our growing student network with new social tools such as ZipcarU on Facebook, where our University community members can share stories, pictures, [and] ideas for 'Ziptrips,' ask questions, and give advice."

The latest programs launched at this winter at University of Texas at Austin, Michigan State University, North Carolina State University, University of Richmond, Christopher Newport University, Hampshire College, Meredith College, and Seton Hall University.

As part of ZipcarU's expansion, the company today launched a month-long contest to aid student organizations. The organizations are asked to post, in 75 words or less, an explanation of "how their club or team can benefit from Zipcar....The winning student group will receive 20 free memberships and $25 of driving for each account." The contest ends on February 21, 2011.

For more information on the ZipcarU program or the student organization contest, check out the official Web site, or "like" ZipcarU on Facebook.