[BIKE] Phila. to Expand Rentals as It Trims City Auto Fleet

[Jeffrey FRIEDMAN]

Phila. to Expand Rentals as It Trims City Auto Fleet

by KYW's Mike Dunn 

Philadelphia officials call it a success: a four-month experiment in
which dozens of city workers gave up their city-issued cars and instead
rented gas-electric hybrids to get around town. 

City managing director Phil Goldsmith says this past April, in a
cost-cutting move, dozens of city workers saw their city vehicles taken
away: 

"We've taken back about 137 cars. Our target is 425." 

But, Goldsmith says, those employees still need wheels -- so now they
rent: 

"Rather than leave them high and dry, we hooked up with Philly Car
Share so there is a car available." 

Philly Car Share rents gas-electric hybrids on an hourly or daily
basis. The firm has set aside three cars for city workers during
business hours, and the workers can reserve them online" 

"We wanted to come up with alternative for employees who need them
occassionally but don't justify a car full time." 

Goldsmith says Philadelphia is the first city to do this: 

"Berkeley, California has claimed to be the first city, so we're in a
little battle with Berkeley over the PR rights." 

Goldsmith says the little experiment has already saved the city
$650,000.

http://www.kyw1060.com/news_story_detail.cfm?newsitemid=39892 

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