Enterprise Offers Nationwide Car Sharing Program

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Enterprise expanded its business-to-business car sharing service nationwide in a move it says will accommodate the recent surge in public transportation ridership, the company said Tuesday.

"The fact is, this enables more mass transit and fewer cars in a big way," Jeff Parell, Enterprise's senior vice president, told GreenBiz.com.

Businesses trying to help their workers find alternative forms of transportation because of quality-of-life, economic or environmental reasons face a common obstacle: Many don't want to give up their cars and feel stranded if the need arises.

Enterprise entered the market after noticing a growing demand for short-term rentals; It started renting cars in three-hour blocks in the Chicago area in 2005. Its branches also started receiving requests for proposals from clients interested in car-sharing services.

Nearly a year ago, Enterprise began testing a pilot program at the Washington University in St. Louis. The service is also offered at Google and REI campuses in California and Washington, respectively.

Enterprise's WeCar program boasts an all-hybrid fleet. It faces competition from other businesses in the car sharing market, such as ZipCar, U-Haul, and a smattering of regional organizations including I-GO in Chicago, City CarShare in the San Francisco Bay Area, and HourCar in the Twin Cities.

The rental procedure is completely automated. Users go online to reserve and locate the cars, which are typically parked nearby at a designated spot. Users enter the cars using an electronic key card and will find conventional car keys inside.  

To date, the program is being used on corporate, government or academic campuses but there are opportunities for clusters of companies to use ride-sharing as long as there is a defined user group, Parell said.

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