Signage for carshare spaces. Image Credit: NYC DOT.
On March 29, 2023, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced a major expansion on the citywide curbside carshare program. The expansion will add 270 new parking spaces to the already-existing 230-space pilot. The program, which began in 2018, is part of an effort by the city to cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing car ownership and vehicle miles traveled.
The 270 new carshare locations will bring the existing carshare program to new neighborhoods across the five boroughs while also expanding the number of spaces in the initial pilot areas. The program works with three carshare companies, Zipcar, Getaround, and Truqit, to install these spaces.
Transportation undertook extensive outreach in deciding where to expand the program to. The department took in feedback from community boards, residents and other stakeholders. They also work with the carshare companies to identify locations for expansion based on customer demand. Locations must confirm with criteria set forth by Transportation to ensure the program reaches underserved New Yorkers.
Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, “Convenient access to carshare is a proven way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and remove more vehicles from our streets. Doubling the size of this program will make curbside carshare accessible in more neighborhoods, save people money, and build upon the success of our successful pilot program.”
Since its inception, the carshare program has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by six percent, and carshare users drove seven percent fewer miles than pre-carshare.
By: Samantha Silverstein (Samantha is a New York Law School student, Class of 2024.)
This will do NOTHING environmentally. The only effects will be to (a) make the political class feel better about themselves, and (b) drive car-owning, productive citizens of the city out. Thanks for nothing, DOT and NYC.