MetroRiderLA

[tags]flexcar, zipcar, merger, los angeles, car sharing[/tags]

Whatever you call it - lovemaking, boning, the horizontal mambo, knocking boots, or corporate merger - there’s nothing quite as beautiful as when two become one. The lucky lovebirds in this case are Flexcar and Zipcar, two car-sharing companies that aim to change the way we think about getting around. Many Los Angeles MetroRider’s are familiar with Flexcar due to its growing presence in the region (there are currently 151 Flexcars in Los Angeles). Zipcar is popular in cities like Boston and Chicago… combined the two cover New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, London, Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Philidelphia. Phew.

The plan, like most couplings, is to take the best parts of both companies and make the resulting service better than the originals. The new company will be called Zipcar as Flexcar sacrifices it’s naming rights for the greater good. I think this is a good idea because Zipcar seems to have more name recognition that Flexcar. Every time I told a friend from other urban areas that I was a Flexcar member, they would always say “Oh that’s called Zipcar here”.

As a current Flexcar member I’m really excited about this merger… I can only see good coming out of it. I really love Flexcar, but there were always some issues with their system, and after browsing the Zipcar website and reading up on some of their literature, it really seems like they’ve got it down. The reservation system seems to have a nice Google Maps interface and from what I’ve read there’s a mobile interface for making reservation, which is something Flexcar lacked. For Los Angeles, Flexcars will be transitioning over to Zipcars in January of 2008, and current members will be sent a Zipcard to replace their Flexcar Smart Card and be given some free driving credits just for activating their new cards.

More Info:

• Press Release: Zipcar and Flexcar agree to merge
• FAQ for current Flexcar members
• Seattle Times: Flexcar merges with rival Zipcar

• Damien Goodmon leads the (pricey) fight to make the Expo Line safer for high school students.
• MetrobloggingLA thinks that the Red Line is missing a vital stop in the Valley.
• The Boi from Troy wants the Red Line Extension to zig-zag in order to hit more hot-spots, including WeHo.

[tags]metro, los angeles, transit, westside, westside extension[/tags]

All comments regarding the Westside Extension Transit Corridor must be submitted to Metro by November 1, 2007.  You can send comments (including digital audio and video files) by email to WestsideExtension@metro.net.  You can also used Metro’s web-based comment form to leave your input over the internet.  Comments can be left by phone by calling (213) 922-6934 and leaving a message.  Comments sent by mail must be postmarked by November 1 and be send to the following address:

David Mieger, Project Manager
Metro
One Gateway Plaza, MS 99-22-5
Los Angeles, CA  90012

Previous coverage:

•  Video Update on the Westside Extension
•  Community Meeting: Westside Extension
•  Westside Extension Transit Study Corridor Picture Report

• Will arresting Orange Line cheaters reduce the murder rate? The LA Daily News thinks maybe so.
• The “Platinum Triangle” near the Anaheim Metrolink Station gets downsized.
• MetroRider’s must skew rich. Angelenic looks at the Solair Wilshire, a new development at the Wilshire/Western Purple Line Station with prices starting in the low 800’s.
• Once “America’s Best” always “America’s Best”? The Metro Mole thinks not.

[tags]metro, los angeles, eastside, gold line, whittier, meetings[/tags]

Rendering of the Soto Station from Phase 1 of the Gold Line Eastside Extension. Courtesy of Metro.

Next up in the never ending flow of Metro expansion meetings comes the Eastside Transit Corrider Phase 2 Study Meetings. Try saying that five times fast. This time they’re looking into what’s next for the eastside, possibly a Gold Line extension from East L.A. to Whittier? As usual, you are encouraged to attend and let your opinion be heard.

The meetings are as follow:

• Thursday, November 8: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  Palm Park, 5703 Palm Avenue, Whittier
• Saturday, November 10: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  Senior Center at City Park, 115 South Taylor Avenue, Montebello
• Wednesday, November 14: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  Potrero Heights Elementary School, 8026 East Hill Drive, Rosemead
• Thursday, November 15: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  North Park Middle School/Cafeteria, 4450 Durfee Avenue, Pico Rivera

Those unable to attend the meetings may also submit their input by phone, fax, mail, or e-mail by contacting: Kimberly Yu, Project Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Mail Stop 99-22-02, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Phone: 213-922-7910, e-mail: yuki@metro.net Written comments may be submitted at the meeting or no later than November 30, 2007.

• Angelenic notices the new ad blitz at 7th Metro Center. He likes it. I don’t. I miss my Angus burgers.
• London goes hardcore for the 2012 Olympics: No cars allowed.
• FlyAway switching to smaller buses. Might make sense for Union Station buses, but Van Nuys buses are always crazy full.
• Three-fourths of Americans believe that being smarter about development and improving public transportation are better long-term solutions for reducing traffic congestion than building new roads. Take that haters!