LONDON, June 26 /PRNewswire/ --
- Merger between Servite Houses and Thames Housing Association prompts housing staff HQ consolidation
- Zipcar partnership signals fresh direction in business and residential car use
ServiteThames today announced it has teamed with Zipcar, the world's largest and fastest growing car sharing club, to forge a 'radical' and environmentally friendly work-life travel plan for its expanded staff at its housing HQ following its recent merger with Thames Housing Association.
The partnership will help ServiteThames better utilize its limited parking space and enable the company to provide its increased staff of 120 employees with an alternative to the costs and inconvenience of bringing and parking a vehicle at work each day.
Beginning today, 14 self-service Zipcars will be available in ServiteThames parking bays. During business hours, the Zipcar will be available exclusively to ServiteThames employees; however, during non-work hours (evenings and weekends) Zipcars will be available for reservation by all Zipcar members.
ServiteThames staff who chose to join Zipcar will receive a discounted annual membership rate of 25 pounds sterling plus 25 pounds of introductory driving credit. In addition to their corporate membership, all ServiteThames Zipcar members will also be able to reserve any of Zipcars' 5,000 vehicles throughout London and North America for their personal or business use.
A leading urban lifestyle brand, Zipcar has 200,000 members and 5,000 vehicles throughout London and North America. Each Zipcar takes over 20 cars off the road through members stopping purchasing decisions, and also lessens land and financial resources required to provide parking infrastructure.
In London, Zipcar provides cars for use by the hour and can save members an average of 450 pounds per month on car related costs. It provides access to more than 200 vehicles charged at an hourly rate starting from 4.95 pounds or 35 pounds a day. Each reservation includes the congestion charge, MOT, petrol and fully comprehensive insurance.
Heather Thomas, managing director of ServiteThames, said: "Our car park at the Balham office is far too small in comparison to the number of employees, together with their cars which we anticipate. We had to come up with a radical idea. A car club seemed to be the best idea. By having Zipcars based at Balham, we will end up taking lots of cars off the road not only just those of staff but also those of people who live near Aura House."
She added: "Working in partnership with Zipcar will be good for ServiteThames, good for staff, good for residents and good for the environment."
Paul McLoughlin, general manager of Zipcar UK, said: "Intense pressure on parking spaces and the escalating cost of fuel to car users are significantly contributing to the way companies, such as Servite, are approaching traditional business and personal car usage."
He added: "It's enlightening and very encouraging to work with Servite which is blazing a new trail in staff commercial car behaviours within its newly restructured housing department, as well as adding a vital element to its HR and CSR credentials. The fact it is extending the Zipcar concept of a cool, green, affordable alternative to traditional private car ownership out to its residents is doubly impressive."
Note to Editors
About Servite Houses
Servite Houses is a leading housing association with more than 18,000 homes across the country in more than 50 local authority areas. The regions we work in are: London and the South East, West Midlands, East Midlands, West Sussex and Merseyside.
Servite provides affordable homes for a wide range of people including rented family housing, homes for shared ownership, hostels for young women, supported housing for Deaf people, student accommodation, keyworker accommodation, sheltered housing and residential care and nursing homes.
About ServiteThames
ServiteThames is part of Servite Houses. ServiteThames manages around 4,060 units of housing in South London. It has its own board and managing director.
About Zipcar
Zipcar is the world's largest and fastest growing car club, with 200,000 members and 5,500 vehicles in major metropolitan areas and university campuses, including Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Vancouver, Toronto and London, England. As a leading urban lifestyle brand, Zipcar provides a convenient and cost effective transportation alternative for individuals, businesses and universities in 50 cities throughout North America and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.zipcar.co.uk
Zipcar provides cars for use by the hour and can save members an average of 450 pounds per month on car related costs. It provides access to more than 200 vehicles charged at an hourly rate starting from 4.95 pounds or 35 pounds a day. Each reservation includes the congestion charge, MOT, petrol and fully comprehensive insurance.
Media contact: Laura Abrar labrar@zipcar.com +44-(0)207-940-7488
Web site: http://www.zipcar.co.uk
Laura Abrar, labrar@zipcar.com, +44-(0)207-940-7488. NOTE TO EDITORS: For all logos, images and interviews with Paul McLoughlin and Heather Thomas please contact Laura Abrar, Zipcar UK PR Manager on +44-(0)207-940-7488.
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