Lehigh University Partnering with Zimride by Enterprise to Launch Local Ride-Matching Network

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lehigh University is partnering with Zimride by Enterprise, a service of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, to launch a new transportation option – an online ride-matching service that easily connects drivers and passengers heading to the same area.

The Lehigh University program is available only to students, faculty and staff. Members of the campus community interested in using Zimride must have a Lehigh University username and password to sign-in. In just a few seconds on zimride.com, drivers and passengers can set up a profile, search for open seats, or post their ride and destination. The platform's unique approach to ride-matching allows members to link their profile to their Facebook page.

The Zimride offering is part of the university's focus on sustainable transportation options, which combines car sharing, ride matching, university shuttle service and public transportation to meet the mobility needs of students.

"Zimride complements the other cost-effective and sustainable transportation options we offer," said Robert Bruneio, Manager of Transportation Services at Lehigh University. "In addition to its appeal for first-year students who don't have cars, this supports the transportation needs of commuter students and others who trek to and from the campus each day."

Bruneio noted that sustainability is a major focus for the University's Transportation, Transit and Parking Services department. For example, Lehigh University's car sharing program is offered through Enterprise CarShare, another service of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which launched more than five years ago. With the integration of Zimride, Lehigh University's car-sharing program is expected to grow in popularity as users enjoy more flexibility in sharing the cost of their short-term car rentals.

Virtual Car

Enterprise has been delivering transportation alternatives right where people live and work since 1957. Forty years later, Enterprise Rent-A-Car trademarked the term Virtual Car®, after recognizing the strength and energy of local service, regardless if it is for an hour, a day, a week or longer.  This intuitive neighborhood business model now features a wide variety of programs, including car rental, car leasing, vanpooling and car sharing.

"At Enterprise, we strive to be a total transportation solution for our customers by providing a range of sustainable options," said Ryan Johnson, vice president at Enterprise, who participated in an "Urban Myths/Urban Mobility" panel discussion at the 2014 SXSW Eco conference. Further demonstrating its commitment to sustainable communities, Zimride recently partnered with a food bank on a philanthropic campaign to help raise funds during the holiday season.

"With Zimride, members of the university community can coordinate one-time travel plans, such as holiday-break rides, or ongoing rides and daily commutes to campus," Johnson said.  "And it supports and enhances Lehigh's well-established car-sharing program for the long-term."

For more information or to access the Zimride network, visit zimride.com/Lehigh.

About Zimride by Enterprise
The largest web-based ridesharing and carpooling network in North America, Zimride serves customers through a private network of more than 130 universities and corporate campuses. As a sustainable alternative to driving individually, Zimride users reduce vehicle emissions and fuel consumption through shared rides. Other transportation services marketed under the Enterprise brand name include Enterprise CarShare, Enterprise Rideshare, Enterprise Car Sales and Enterprise Commercial Trucks.

About Lehigh University
Lehigh University, located in Pennsylvania's scenic Lehigh Valley and in close proximity to both New York City and Philadelphia, is a premier private residential research university. We are ranked in the top tier of national research universities each year, and our four colleges have earned a reputation for their entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary approach to learning. Most of our students—undergraduate and graduate—live on campus, allowing research and discovery to happen almost anywhere. Today, more than 75,000 alumni from around the world have earned a Lehigh diploma, and nearly 97% of last year's graduates have gone on to find career-related opportunities just six months after leaving campus.

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SOURCE Zimride by Enterprise

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