METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

American U. Partners With Zipcar to Offer Car Sharing on Campus

Participating members with smartphones, including iPhone and Android devices, may download the Zipcar mobile application to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle.

May 4, 2015
American U. Partners With Zipcar to Offer Car Sharing on Campus

Photo courtesy: American University

3 min to read


Photo courtesy: American University

American University announced a unique new partnership with Zipcar, the world's leading car sharing network, to offer a special car sharing program on campus. The new program will provide access to car sharing vehicles for all of Zipcar members of the Washington, D.C.-based school, as well as select vehicles dedicated for the exclusive use of faculty, staff and students needing cars for school-sanctioned activities. All American University vehicles will be available to students ages 18 and older.

RELATED:DART, Zipcar partnership adds vehicles at rail station

Ad Loading...

American University will initially offer six seven-passenger vans, including the Ford Transit Connect and Toyota Sienna, for exclusive use by approved faculty, staff and student organizations as part of a first-of-its-kind program. Two additional Zipcars, a Ford Escape SUV and a Honda Civic, will also be available for all students, faculty, staff and Zipcar members in the local community. These Zipcars will have designated parking spots located at Clark Hall and Asbury Hall for convenient pick-up and return. Zipcars are available on-demand and can be easily reserved and accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All membership costs for approved members of the dedicated passenger van program will be paid for by the university when using the vehicles for school-related activities.

Additionally, all students, faculty and staff at American University can now join Zipcar as members for their personal use for $15 for the first year of membership, plus affordable hourly and daily rates for Zipcar vehicles when a set of wheels is needed. After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $35. Gas, insurance and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days. American University Zipcar members also have access to over 830 Zipcars throughout the greater Washington, D.C. area. American University students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/AU.

"From concept to reality, this is a unique opportunity for American University to make great strides in the areas of sustainability and savings on capital investments," said Daniel Nichols, executive director for risk, safety and transportation programs. "AU is proud to lead this model program and offer this access to our campus community."

Participating members with smartphones, including iPhone and Android devices, may download the Zipcar mobile application to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle. Reservations can also be made over the phone or on the Zipcar website. The cars on American University's campus will also be equipped with special parking permit stickers that allow Zipcar members to park in any metered space or residential parking permit zone within the District during their reservation at no additional cost to the member.

"Zipcar is delighted to partner with American University to create this program to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff," said Scott Hall, general manager of Zipcar Washington, D.C. "From our direct-billed account members driving minivans to and from school activities, to students using Zipcars for errands, job interviews, excursions into the city, or weekend trips away, Zipcar provides a convenient and cost-effective transportation option for virtually every need."


More Bus

Rendering of the upgraded Derby-Shelton Train Station
Busby StaffMay 4, 2026

CTDOT Launches Four-Station Upgrades on Waterbury Line

Construction on all four stations is beginning now and is anticipated to be completed by spring 2028.

Read More →
East Colfax BRT
Busby StaffMay 4, 2026

Denver RTD breaks ground on Aurora segment of East Colfax BRT

The beginning of the final BRT segment advances construction across all five segments, reflecting steady progress toward shorter travel times, improved accessibility, and a more dependable connection to jobs, businesses, and community destinations.

Read More →
A VIA bus
Busby StaffMay 1, 2026

San Antonio's VIA Launches Next Round of Bus Improvements

The changes are designed to reduce overall travel time, shorten wait times, and get customers to their destinations more quickly.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Federal Reserve Bank visiting ENC
Busby StaffMay 1, 2026

Fed Leaders Highlight Growth, U.S. Manufacturing at ENC

The visit is part of the SF Fed's ongoing engagement with major employers and industries across Southern California and, more broadly, the western U.S. to better understand regional economic conditions and business outlooks.

Read More →
A person working on a bus
ManagementMay 1, 2026

Data-Driven Maintenance: Focusing Effort Where It Matters Most

Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.

Read More →
frontrunner bus
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

ADA Compliant Transit: Easier, More Dignified Travel for Every Passenger

Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Cover photo for Part 2 with Cecil Blandon
Managementby Alex RomanApril 30, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Part 2 with AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon

In Part 2 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his maintenance team’s work with various types of vehicle, training, augmented reality, and more.

Read More →
A Valley Metro bus
Managementby StaffApril 28, 2026

Keolis Contract Extended for Valley Metro's East Valley Fixed-Route Bus Service

Under this extension, Keolis will continue to manage and operate fixed-route bus service across the East Valley, serving communities including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, the town of Gilbert, parts of Phoenix, and the Gila River Indian Community.

Read More →
A Des Moines DART bus
Busby StaffApril 28, 2026

Iowa DART Prepares for June Bus Network Launch

The new network reflects extensive input from riders and the community through Reimagine DART on what matters most in public transit — and those priorities are reflected in the changes ahead.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A Route 8 bus travels on Denny Way in congested traffic.
Busby StaffApril 24, 2026

Seattle Speeds up Service on Denny Way

A new bus lane project aims to improve reliability on one of King County Metro’s busiest and most congestion-prone corridors.

Read More →