VCU news

By Rebecca Jones
VCU Business Services

Virginia Commonwealth University is partnering with Zimride, an online social rideshare community, to launch a ridesharing social network for the university community. The Zimride platform uses Facebook integration to create a fun way for users to find friends to share commutes or one-time rides. This private network empowers individuals to join together and reduce campus traffic and parking difficulties, while providing substantial cost-savings for the community.

“VCU’s partnership with Zimride will provide a great way for students to share rides to local shopping centers, the airport or other destinations,” said Paul Jez, VCU’s associate vice president for business services and treasurer. “It will also help faculty and staff create carpools to work. Both scenarios will help our community save money while encouraging sustainable practices.”

Zimride has developed a custom rideshare solution to serve VCU’s campus population. Through Zimride’s Web-based interface, faculty, staff and students can find others with similar commuting patterns or those who need one-time rides. Just like with Facebook, Zimriders can view profiles for common networks, interests and friends before deciding to share a ride. Starting today, Oct. 5, all university students, faculty and staff can access the free VCU Zimride system at http://zimride.vcu.edu. The private system requires a VCU eID and password to gain access.

“VCU is committed to focusing on campus sustainability practices,” said Jez. “Ridesharing is one more way that our community can make a substantial difference.”