WeCar Car-Sharing Comes to Downtown Nashville
Nashville Downtown Partnership and Enterprise Rent-A-Car announce city’s first open-membership car-sharing program
APRIL 22, 2010 (NASHVILLE, Tenn.) - The Nashville Downtown Partnership and WeCar, a car-sharing program by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, have partnered to bring car-sharing to downtown Nashville, Tenn. The open-membership car-sharing opportunity is a first for Nashville, and can provide businesses and the downtown community with a new, sustainable and cost-effective transportation option.
The car-sharing program is officially launching today with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean taking a WeCar vehicle for its first ride after an introduction to the new program and a brief press conference, as part of the city's Earth Day activities. The four WeCar vehicles are parked in designated spots throughout the downtown area, near some of the city's largest employers, close to busy residential areas and near public transportation and high-traffic areas.
Membership is open to all licensed drivers 21 years of age and older who meet the terms and conditions of use of the program. Additionally, the program - from application to reservation - is totally automated and can be done online.
"WeCar is helping bring Nashville one step closer to being a true multi-modal city," said Dean. "Just last month we launched a new downtown bus circulator. We're looking to add other mass-transit options in Nashville, and we continue to grow our system of bike lanes and walking trails. Offering car sharing to downtown patrons makes using these other methods of transportation a more viable option for day-to-day commuting. I applaud the Downtown Partnership for making this partnership happen. It's another move toward Nashville becoming a healthier and more sustainable city."
"Car sharing is an idea whose time has come," said Tom Turner, president and CEO, Nashville Downtown Partnership. "Today we are thrilled to introduce this concept to downtown Nashville -with four Nissan vehicles available 24/7 to WeCar members. An urban community thrives on shared resources, and the WeCar program will give residents and downtown employees new transportation options that are economically and environmentally friendly."
For businesses, WeCar can reduce fleet costs and overall emissions while also supporting their sustainability initiatives. In fact, WeCar car-sharing vehicles in the United States are supported by local Enterprise Rent-A-Car business rental programs as well as Enterprise's vast network of more than 5,000 neighborhood car rental branches, which are located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. WeCar's hybrid and fuel-efficient fleet further supports Enterprise's industry-leading commitment to growing the market for alternative fuels and technologies.
"WeCar is a convenient transportation solution for downtown residents and employees," said Ryan Johnson, assistant vice president, WeCar. "It provides an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional car ownership, and it supports Nashville's sustainability goals. Working with the Nashville Downtown Partnership has provided a great opportunity to establish a strong WeCar program in a robust downtown community."
WeCar operates customized car-sharing programs throughout the U.S. and is currently providing programs for corporate campuses, universities and municipal governments in 12 states. Nashville is the second WeCar program to offer open-membership; the other is in St. Louis.
"Many of our existing programs are dedicated to a specific business or university and available to only those members. However, it was necessary in Nashville to set up a program that could accommodate several businesses and their employees, as well as individual users - not a one-size-fits all approach, but a program that can grow. That's what WeCar is providing in Nashville," said Johnson.
"Car sharing is going to be a great asset for recruiting and retaining businesses in downtown Nashville, as well as enhancing our residential environment," said Robert R. Campbell, Jr., chairman of the board, Nashville Downtown Partnership. "More and more, we see companies across the country choosing to relocate to cities that promote sustainable practices. This new WeCar initiative will help keep downtown Nashville a top relocation choice, and make it an even better place to live and work. "
Those interested can sign up at in person today downtown at the launch activities, or online at www.wecar.com. For more information, call the Nashville Downtown Partnership at 615-743-3090.
About WeCar
WeCar car-sharing provides a totally automated, membership-based and environmentally friendly transportation solution to business customers looking to enhance their fleet management operations and sustainability initiatives. Convenient and cost-effective, WeCar vehicles are accessible round-the-clock and complemented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car's neighborhood network of more than 5,000 branches, all located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population.
Enterprise Holdings, headquartered in St. Louis, owns and operates the WeCar and Enterprise Rent-A-Car brands through its regional subsidiaries. WeCar car-sharing initially was piloted in 2007 as a natural extension of Enterprise Rent-A-Car's business rental program and longtime focus on customized local service - including the Enterprise Rideshare program, serving both individual vanpool groups and large employer work sites. Known for exceptionally low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise was named to BusinessWeek's annual list of "Customer Service Champs" in 2007, 2008 and 2009. WeCar offers mostly hybrids and plug-in vehicles, delivering car-sharing technology's speed, efficiency and economy to businesses, universities and government offices nationwide. WeCar is part of the most comprehensive service provider in the car rental industry, unparalleled in size, strength and stability. For more information about WeCar, visit www.WeCar.com and www.keystogreen.com.
About Nashville Downtown Partnership
The Nashville Downtown Partnership is a private sector nonprofit corporation whose core purpose is "to make downtown the compelling urban center in the Southeast in which to LIVE, WORK, PLAY and INVEST." The Partnership has transitioned into a downtown leadership organization that focuses on business recruitment and retention, residential and retail development, public space management, access and transportation, and communications and marketing.