ODU BECOMES FIRST FLEXCAR RENTAL SITE IN HAMPTON ROADS

Old Dominion University has become the first site in Hampton Roads to partner with Flexcar, the innovative car-sharing company that allows its members to reserve vehicles by the hour for a low fee.

Flexcar representatives will be on ODU's campus 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 on the Kaufman Mall to answer questions about this unique service.

Already popular in some of America's larger cities such as Seattle, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., Flexcar touts itself as an environmentally friendly alternative to owning a car. Many of its vehicles are fuel-efficient, and several are hybrids with rental fees starting as low as $5 an hour.

"This will allow students, faculty and staff flexibility with their transportation needs," said Justin Nelson, parking maintenance supervisor for ODU. "This service is also available to the community at large, because everything is done through Flexcar, either online or by telephone."

Flexcar has eight vechiles parked in several locations around the ODU campus, including a sports car, several hybrids, a utility vehicle and a pickup truck.

The hourly rental fee covers gas, insurance and 150 miles. There is also an annual membership fee of $35 that covers all other costs. When the user is through with the car, the driver returns the vehicle to its original parking place. Students between the ages of 18-20 must have parental consent before using any of the Flexcar vehicles.

Flexcar vehicles are parked at the following sites:

1. Pickup Truck Lot 20, northeast corner of Kaufman Hall
2. Sports Car Lot 20, northeast corner of Kaufman Hall
3. Standard Sedan Lot 20, northeast corner of Kaufman Hall
4. Hybrid Lot 32, west side between Powhatan Apartments and Whitehurst Hall
5. Hybrid Lot 32, west side between Powhatan Apartments and Whitehurst Hall
6. Hybrid Lot 33, east side between Rogers Main and Rogers East
7. Standard Sedan Lot 8, east side next to the Kornblau Alumni Center
8. Utility Vehicle Lot V2, west side beside Tropical Smoothie Caf� and Surf & Adventure Co.

For more information about Flexcar or to reserve a vehicle, visit the Web site at
www.flexcar.com or call 683-4004.