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Car-sharing Club Comes to Pepperdine

In December 2008, the Hertz Corporation launched a global car-sharing initiative, Connect by Hertz, to provide an economical, convenient, and socially conscious alternative to car ownership. Pepperdine University has signed on as one of the first university clients, and will strategically place Hertz cars around the Malibu campus for rental.

Pepperdine officials acknowledge that for students, bringing an individual car to the University at the beginning of each semester is not always the most economical choice, especially if the student has minimal off-campus pursuits. University members will be able to join Connect by Hertz for free, with rental rates starting at $8 per hour. All members have access to cars in all Connect by Hertz locales, including New York, London and Paris.

"Pepperdine is excited to bring Connect by Hertz to our campus," says Dawn Emrich, deputy director of Public Safety. "This program offers an option for families undecided about sending a car with their college student. It also supports our desire to make choices that further our sustainability both locally and globally."

The self-service, pay-as-you-go system provides members with 24/7 access to a centrally located fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles, transferring the fixed costs of car ownership to per-trip costs. Membership in Connect by Hertz includes insurance, fuel, roadside assistance, maintenance and cleaning, as well as a paperless service in which transactions are available via the Internet or phone.

"In 2008, Los Angeles once again received the title of ‘most polluted air in the nation' by the American Lung Association," says Rhiannon Pregitzer, director of the Center for Sustainability. "Pepperdine seeks to improve public health through the provision of on-campus housing, vanpools, shuttles, carpools, and a fleet of electric/hybrid vehicles. The Hertz Car Share program provides the environmental benefit and gives our students freedom without the expense and hassle of maintaining a car. What could be better than that?"

The following cars are available through the Pepperdine Connect by Hertz program: Mazda 3, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, and Ford Escape.

For more information about car sharing at Pepperdine, visit the Public Safety or Connect by Hertz Web sites.