Metro-North Railroad and Zipcar Launch Hudson Valley Car Share Initiative

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Metro-North Railroad and Zipcar Launch Hudson Valley Car Share Initiative

 

 

February 24th, 2017

Zipcar

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced a new partnership between MTA Metro-North Railroad and Zipcar, a leading provider of vehicle sharing services, to launch a Hudson Valley Car Share initiative. Zipcars are available at nine Metro-North stations in the Hudson Valley so passengers can conveniently take a Zipcar from the station and easily travel to tourist destinations and other locations throughout the region.

"This new partnership will provide a convenient and economic travel option to allow New Yorkers and visitors alike to explore the Mid-Hudson Valley, further boosting the region's tourism economy," Governor Cuomo said. "I encourage New Yorkers and tourists alike to take advantage of this program and experience this region's natural beauty and recreational options for themselves."

A total of 14 Zipcars are available now through the partnership including a Honda Civic, a Jeep Renegade and a Honda CR-V. The vehicles are parked at dedicated, clearly marked spaces at station lots, providing Metro-North customers with the ease and simplicity of stepping off the train, hopping into a Zipcar and conveniently continuing on to destinations beyond the station. Each Zipcar reservation includes gas, insurance, maintenance and 180 miles of driving per day.

Zipcars will be available at the following stations:

• Harlem Line: North White Plains and Woodlawn
• Hudson Line: Poughkeepsie and Beacon
• New Haven Line: Port Chester, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Pelham and Mount Vernon East

In addition to the Metro-North stations, Zipcar provides access to thousands of vehicles in greater New York for reservation by the hour or day. Prospective members can join the service instantly though the Zipcar mobile app or online at www.zipcar.com/metro-north. The availability of Zipcars at these stations is part of a new Metro-North program called Ride2Drive, which aims to encourage visitors to travel to the Hudson Valley and at the same time increase mobility to New Yorkers who don't own cars. Within the next year, the program is expected to expand to an additional 24 Metro-North stations in New York State, both east and west of the Hudson River.

“We are always seeking ways to make access to our stations easier and more convenient,” said Joseph Giulietti, President of Metro-North Railroad. “The ease of having Zipcars at our stations will add a new travel option and make our train service that much more attractive and competitive.”

"Zipcar’s partnership with Metro-North provides more people in more places with convenient access to a set of wheels," said Zipcar President Tracey Zhen. "Area visitors and residents now have all the benefits of car ownership without the cost or hassle at easy to access locations."

Source: http://www.mta.info/news/2017/02/24/metro-north-railroad-and-zipcar-launch-hudson-valley-car-share-initiative

[bobtehpanda]

I don't know how helpful this will be, since Zipcar is more like Hertz or some other rental-car company than Uber or Lyft, which operate more like taxis.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I don't know how helpful this will be, since Zipcar is more like Hertz or some other rental-car company than Uber or Lyft, which operate more like taxis.

Well I've thought about using it myself.  My other half has been talking about taking weekend trips north and me doing the driving  as opposed to her, so this is a service I would consider, but I haven't heard good things about Zipcar, so I don't know.  This would make such trips easy though because you only rent a car when you need one.  No worrying about parking, etc.

[paulrivera]

 

Metro-North Railroad and Zipcar Launch Hudson Valley Car Share Initiative

 

 

February 24th, 2017

Zipcar

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced a new partnership between MTA Metro-North Railroad and Zipcar, a leading provider of vehicle sharing services, to launch a Hudson Valley Car Share initiative. Zipcars are available at nine Metro-North stations in the Hudson Valley so passengers can conveniently take a Zipcar from the station and easily travel to tourist destinations and other locations throughout the region.

"This new partnership will provide a convenient and economic travel option to allow New Yorkers and visitors alike to explore the Mid-Hudson Valley, further boosting the region's tourism economy," Governor Cuomo said. "I encourage New Yorkers and tourists alike to take advantage of this program and experience this region's natural beauty and recreational options for themselves."

A total of 14 Zipcars are available now through the partnership including a Honda Civic, a Jeep Renegade and a Honda CR-V. The vehicles are parked at dedicated, clearly marked spaces at station lots, providing Metro-North customers with the ease and simplicity of stepping off the train, hopping into a Zipcar and conveniently continuing on to destinations beyond the station. Each Zipcar reservation includes gas, insurance, maintenance and 180 miles of driving per day.

Zipcars will be available at the following stations:

• Harlem Line: North White Plains and Woodlawn
• Hudson Line: Poughkeepsie and Beacon
• New Haven Line: Port Chester, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Pelham and Mount Vernon East

In addition to the Metro-North stations, Zipcar provides access to thousands of vehicles in greater New York for reservation by the hour or day. Prospective members can join the service instantly though the Zipcar mobile app or online at www.zipcar.com/metro-north. The availability of Zipcars at these stations is part of a new Metro-North program called Ride2Drive, which aims to encourage visitors to travel to the Hudson Valley and at the same time increase mobility to New Yorkers who don't own cars. Within the next year, the program is expected to expand to an additional 24 Metro-North stations in New York State, both east and west of the Hudson River.

“We are always seeking ways to make access to our stations easier and more convenient,” said Joseph Giulietti, President of Metro-North Railroad. “The ease of having Zipcars at our stations will add a new travel option and make our train service that much more attractive and competitive.”

"Zipcar’s partnership with Metro-North provides more people in more places with convenient access to a set of wheels," said Zipcar President Tracey Zhen. "Area visitors and residents now have all the benefits of car ownership without the cost or hassle at easy to access locations."

Source: http://www.mta.info/news/2017/02/24/metro-north-railroad-and-zipcar-launch-hudson-valley-car-share-initiative

 

Cool stuff. I think New Haven and New Rochelle were the only stops in the entire Metro-North system that have had a car rental service of any kind...

 

Also, whoever wrote the press release needs to learn basic geography because 75% of these stations are not in the "Hudson Valley."

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Cool stuff. I think New Haven and New Rochelle were the only stops in the entire Metro-North system that have had a car rental service of any kind...

 

Also, whoever wrote the press release needs to learn basic geography because 75% of these stations are not in the "Hudson Valley."

I think the idea is for people to use the car to travel throughout the Hudson Valley from the aforementioned locations.  For example, a few years ago I thought about doing a trip to Beacon from Riverdale.  I forget the particulars, but I was turned off by the schlepping that would be involved. With a car rental, I may reconsider.  I also would like to visit some of the rivertowns in Westchester for the good eats, or visit local organic farms in the area.  Having lived upstate during part of my college years, there are some really great farms in the area, and I recall visiting one as a teen and having fresh milk directly from the cow.  Fantastic experience.  It seems as if a lot of folks do this that make sporadic trips and don't really need a car otherwise.  I'm just not so sold on Zipcar, but maybe they've improved.  Either way, it's good that they are marketing these weekend get-aways.

[RailRunRob]

Cool stuff. I think New Haven and New Rochelle were the only stops in the entire Metro-North system that have had a car rental service of any kind...

 

Also, whoever wrote the press release needs to learn basic geography because 75% of these stations are not in the "Hudson Valley."

Those two stations are also served by Intercity lines via Amtrak so makes sense.  Cool Idea I'd use the service.

[RailRunRob]

I don't know how helpful this will be, since Zipcar is more like Hertz or some other rental-car company than Uber or Lyft, which operate more like taxis.

Why would you want Uber for a day trip? Wouldn't you want freedom to explore the area Zipcar is super simple book via App and use Tap card or phone to unlock. 

[bobtehpanda]

Why would you want Uber for a day trip? Wouldn't you want freedom to explore the area Zipcar is super simple book via App and use Tap card or phone to unlock. 

 

I don't recall Zipcar rates being particularly cheap. Unless somehow you've figured out that your destination has ZipCar parking, you'd essentially be renting it for the day. I personally can't think of many day trips where I would rent a car for a day, but take public transport part of the way, since if I wanted to do something outdoorsy I'd probably need a car to hold the supplies from the get-go.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I don't recall Zipcar rates being particularly cheap. Unless somehow you've figured out that your destination has ZipCar parking, you'd essentially be renting it for the day. I personally can't think of many day trips where I would rent a car for a day, but take public transport part of the way, since if I wanted to do something outdoorsy I'd probably need a car to hold the supplies from the get-go.

That's the other thing I thought about... All of the getting to the station, taking the train, then switching to the Zipcar... 

[peacemak3r]

I can't imagine Via G using Zipcar since they use budget cars 99% of the time.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I can't imagine Via G using Zipcar since they use budget cars 99% of the time.

lol... I just thought about how skeeved out I was originally by how dirty their cars supposedly are, but I can't confirm that.  Oddly enough though, when I considered getting a car a few years ago, I was really set on one of the higher end Volkswagen cars. If not that then definitely an Audi or maybe a Tesla... Something eco friendly though...

[QM1to6Ave]

lol... I just thought about how skeeved out I was originally by how dirty their cars supposedly are, but I can't confirm that.  Oddly enough though, when I considered getting a car a few years ago, I was really set on one of the higher end Volkswagen cars. If not that then definitely an Audi or maybe a Tesla... Something eco friendly though...

I've used Zipcar on occasion...the cars are certainly not sparkling clean, and rental cars are usually cleaner, but that is because no one is cleaning them in between trips. But that is also its main advantage, as you can get the cars 24/7 and don't need to worry about dropping off at a rental place that is closed on weekends, etc.  

 

The price for Zipcar is too high, in my opinion, and if you are using it more than once a month or so it probably pays to get your own cheap car. 

 

However, the City Council just voted to start a new program where Zipcar and simialr ride shares can be parked on the street in certain reserved spots. That may be a game changer if done properly. 

[46Dover]

Hopefully the GPS installed in these cars won't cause drivers to willy-waltz onto active tracks????

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I've used Zipcar on occasion...the cars are certainly not sparkling clean, and rental cars are usually cleaner, but that is because no one is cleaning them in between trips. But that is also its main advantage, as you can get the cars 24/7 and don't need to worry about dropping off at a rental place that is closed on weekends, etc.  

 

The price for Zipcar is too high, in my opinion, and if you are using it more than once a month or so it probably pays to get your own cheap car. 

 

However, the City Council just voted to start a new program where Zipcar and simialr ride shares can be parked on the street in certain reserved spots. That may be a game changer if done properly. 

Interesting.  I will definitely keep that in mind.  The other thing that could happen is I may like traveling upstate so much that I actually splurge for a car just to have for weekend getaways, but we're not there yet.  Both of us are still very Manhattan centric, with the only difference being that I have no desire to actually live in Manhattan.

[QM1to6Ave]

Interesting.  I will definitely keep that in mind.  The other thing that could happen is I may like traveling upstate so much that I actually splurge for a car just to have for weekend getaways, but we're not there yet.  Both of us are still very Manhattan centric, with the only difference being that I have no desire to actually live in Manhattan.

 

The other thing I'll add is that there is often some little thing wrong with the cars (the gas credit card they give you doesn't work, the car comes scratched up, backup camera doesn't work, they change the type of car last minute, etc). The bottom line is that you get a working car that gets you from A to B, but it's by no means a perfect system. Plus it is overpriced. 

[Via Garibaldi 8]

The other thing I'll add is that there is often some little thing wrong with the cars (the gas credit card they give you doesn't work, the car comes scratched up, backup camera doesn't work, they change the type of car last minute, etc). The bottom line is that you get a working car that gets you from A to B, but it's by no means a perfect system. Plus it is overpriced. 

That's what I've heard from reviews and what stopped me from trying the service previously, but I first got the idea from a middle-aged guy who was riding the Hudson Raillink Shuttle with me. I overheard him telling his (I assume) wife to arrange for a Zipcar.  I wasn't too surprised by his request since I live a part of Riverdale where you don't need a car, as parking is a royal PITA.  Many also use parking garages for their cars here, but the thought of having to walk to a garage to get my car out seems rather annoying, so we'll see.  I am moving soon to another place in Riverdale, but likely still won't need a car.

[Italianstallion]

I don't know how helpful this will be, since Zipcar is more like Hertz or some other rental-car company than Uber or Lyft, which operate more like taxis.

 

Well, yes, that's the point. You can drive where you want through the countryside. Can't do that with a taxi.

 

 

However, the City Council just voted to start a new program where Zipcar and simialr ride shares can be parked on the street in certain reserved spots. That may be a game changer if done properly. 

 

Yes! I've seen this in Paris. Great idea.