HOUSTON – Houston First Corporation, which operates the city’s finest convention and theater facilities, is branching out to offer the convenience of car sharing from Zipcar by adding two Zipcar locations downtown. Houston First is dedicating space for Zipcars in the Theater District Parking complex and the Convention District garage beneath Discovery Green.
Zipcar now offers 27 cars at 13 locations citywide, including 12 at seven downtown locations.
For Dawn Ullrich, president and CEO of Houston First, the new arrangement is all about improving the experience for those visiting Houston.
“This is all about convenience for our guests,” Ullrich said. “Zipcar members visiting the George R. Brown Convention Center might want to drive down to Galveston for the afternoon. With a Zipcar location across the street, they can be on the road in minutes without paperwork.”
Zipcar is a membership-based car sharing network that provides members with access to more than 10,000 cars in hundreds of cities and towns as well as on university campuses and at airports around the world. Vehicles can be reserved by the hour or by the day and all reservations include gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles per day. Rates begin as low as $9 hour and $73 per day. Membership rates range from an annual fee of $60 or a monthly fee of $6.
“With the addition of these Zipcar locations to the Houston First facilities, our members now have access to more wheels when they want them throughout the downtown area,” said Catie Clemens, market manager of Zipcar Houston. “With more availability and greater convenience, we can accelerate the positive impact of car sharing on the city of Houston.”