Despite the fact that Zipcar has lost its contract to provide car sharing service at the University of Minnesota, the company said it plans to keep a strong presence in the Twin Cities.
It also plans to add locations in Stadium Village, Dinkytown and the Seven Corners areas near the campus to make it easy for students, faculty and staff members and community residents who have used Zipcar in the past to remain with the service, said spokesman C.J. Himberg.
Starting Aug. 1, another car sharing service, Hourcar, will be the official car sharing service for the University of Minnesota. You can see my original post announcing the change here.
Himberg said current University of Minnesota Zipsters, as users of the service often are called, can continue their current membership without any changes. The only change is that vehicles will be parked at different locations than they are now, Himberg said.
Zipcar, which offers a variety of vehicles for rent, including SUV's, hybrids, sedans, hatchbacks and luxury vehicles, said it plans to expand operations in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and is working with Minneapolis city officials to gain on-street parking spots, Himberg said.
Zipcar had provided car sharing service at the University of Minnesota for the past six year. That service will now be provided by locally based Hourcar.
