Flexcar Launches In Belltown

Flexcar, which enables urban residents to "share" a vehicle rather than own a car, has grown to more than 750 members in the last nine months. Flexcar has 10 vehicles, including a pickup truck, on Capitol Hill and three vehicles in the Queen Anne neighborhood. The addition of three cars in Belltown will bring the fleet total to 16.

Flexcar is a public-private partnership that was launched by Seattle, King County and a private company, Mobility, in January. As part of his Maintenance and Mobility Initiative, which he unveiled in May, Mayor Paul Schell is announcing city financial support of $50,000 this year to expand car sharing to other neighborhoods, including Fremont, the International District, Pioneer Square, the Central Area and Judkins Park.

City funds will support marketing and advertising activities as well as vehicle leasing costs associated with the expansion.

King County Executive Ron Sims announced he would include about $180,000 in his 2001 budget to expand Flexcar into new markets and link it to other county programs such as Flexpass and the Location Efficient Mortgage program.

One of the three Belltown vehicles will be parked behind the American Lung Association's building.

Members of the program reserve a car and are then charged on an hourly basis and per mile basis to cover the costs of the vehicle, gasoline, insurance and maintenance. Members also have the option of signing up for monthly dues that reduce time and mileage charges. Drivers need to be at least 21 years old and have a good driving record. Additional information about Flexcar is available at wwww.Flexcar.com. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call 206-323-FLEX or e-mail info@Flexcar.com.

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