11 years of car sharing: The lasting impact in Longwood
The Highlights
The Longwood Collective was formed to promote a thoughtful, sustainable approach to urban planning around Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA).
Over the years, Longwood looked for innovative ways to reduce traffic and improve access around Boston.
In 2014, Longwood partnered with Zipcar to launch a custom car-sharing program for LMA residents.
Longwood Collective members received exclusive Zipcar discounts, including a waived application fee and 50% off the first year of membership.
Today, there are nearly a dozen Zipcar locations around Longwood and more than 5,000 in the LMA community have joined Zipcar since 2014.
About Longwood
Established in 1972, the Longwood Collective is a non-profit dedicated to enhancing life in Boston’s Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA). They provide essential programs and services that support the area’s renowned institutions and improve the experience of living, working, studying, or receiving care there.
The Background
The 1970s were a boom time in Bean Town. Big economic growth sparked rapid urban development across the city. While that growth reshaped many neighborhoods, it also brought new headaches: more traffic, limited parking, and fewer green spaces.
In 1972, the Longwood Collective formed to take on these challenges. It championed a more thoughtful approach to city planning—improving multimodal access for walking, biking, carpooling and public transit.
The Longwood Collective made huge strides in preserving green space, expanding commuting alternatives, and reducing congestion. However, by the 2010s, it wanted to offer residents another transportation option that gave them even greater access to the city.
Longwood turned to Zipcar, another Boston-based company with a similar mission of responsible and sustainable urban living, to help make it happen.
The Solution
In 2014, the Longwood Collective partnered with Zipcar to bring car sharing to its residents.
To help kickstart the program, Zipcar offered exclusive Longwood discounts, including a waived application fee and 50% off the first year of membership. With parking, gas, and maintenance all included, residents could now enjoy the freedom of car sharing without the costs and hassles of car ownership.
The Result
In the 11 years since the program launched, more than 5,000 Longwood Collective members have also become Zipcar members.
Not only has this given LMA residents a cost-effective, convenient alternative to owning a car, but it has also helped Longwood continue to tackle traffic, congestion, and pollution issues in the neighborhood. Zipcar and the Longwood Collective have cut carbon emissions by 8,148,800 lbs. since 2014.
Today, Zipcar has nearly a dozen car-sharing locations in the LMA and hundreds in the Boston area.
In Boston, Zipcar households have 38% fewer vehicles than the average household. 26% of Boston Zipcar members got rid of their personal vehicles. That’s 16,402 vehicles off the streets.
Here’s how Zipcar helps reduce the carbon footprint of its members across the country:
• One Zipcar takes 13 personally owned cars off the street.
• Each Zipcar member averages a reduction of 1,600 lbs. of carbon emission annually.
• After joining, Zipcar members average 40% fewer miles driven.
• Zipcar members take 82% more biking trips than the average city resident.
Source: Zipcar Impact Report
