Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Transportation announced a huge cost-cutting plan to switch out many DOT vehicles for Zipcars. During the one-year pilot program, 300 DOT employees will share 25 dedicated Zipcar vehicles, most of which are hybrids, for official business during the day. However, at night and on the weekends the cars are open to the general public. more ›

Early next year, the city's Department of Transportation will begin experimenting with a Zipcar-style car pooling system, with workers sharing vehicles that will be made available to the general public during nights and weekends. The Times slyly notes that "while the prospect of driving the same car as a high-ranking public servant may scintillate some, officials said their priority was to lower costs and shrink the city’s Sasquatch-size carbon footprint." more ›

Starting July 21st ZipCar dares you not to drive. CoolHunting reports that the company has introduced a new program: the Low-Car Diet. For those willing to take the leap and go car-free for a full 30 days, they are replacing "participants' car keys with a complimentary transit pass, a free one-year Zipcar membership, drive time credit and a number of other perks from local partners. In the New York City area, Zoo York will aid the car-less participants by donating skateboards"! The month will be bookended by a ceremonial key-drop on the 21st and a completion event on August 15th (details on both TBA). New York is one of the 10 U.S. cities where the program is being offered (Zipcar members were also asked to participate), but the website now states that applications are on hold. We've contacted ZipCar and they told us "we're still open for enrollment here in NYC!" You can contact rharmon (at) zipcar (dot) com if you are interested. more ›

It seems Zipcar has its engines revved up for Shepard Fairey; their latest newsletter included a personal note to the street artist. more ›