NYC Expands On-Street Carshare Parking Spaces

New York City Department of Transportation has announced the expansion of its citywide curbside carshare program to increase access to convenient carshare – after a five-year pilot program has proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and personal car ownership, according to a press release.

Over the next two weeks, DOT will install new signage to define the first 80 new, dedicated curbside parking spaces for carshare service across Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens.

For 2023, DOT's program goal is to supplement the current 230 on-street parking spaces with several hundred more, working with the three carshare companies (Zipcar, Getaround, and Truqit) to deploy their shared vehicles at new locations.

"We now have the proof that convenient access to carshare frees New Yorkers from the burden of car ownership – while helping to fight climate change,” said Ydanis Rodriguez, NYC DOT’s commissioner. “Soon more New Yorkers will have access to a vehicle when required – no need to sign an expensive lease or to fret about finding a parking space. With thanks to the mayor for his support, we are excited to build on the successes of our pilot, cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled, while supporting efficient use of space at the curb. We encourage New Yorkers to give this great program a try!"

"Getaround and the New York City DOT have a mutual goal of reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and providing equitable transportation options for community members,” said Sy Fahimi, chief operation officer of Getaround. "Our participation in the carshare program will provide instant access to on-demand and affordable cars that will serve as a complement to other transportation modes in the city. We look forward to expanding access to shared mobility, as Getaround continues its mission to empower people to carshare everywhere."

"Truqit is proud to join forces with New York City in building a better future for all its residents," said Sohail Suleman, CEO of Truqit. "Our goal is to give New Yorkers access to convenient and sustainable transportation options, without the hassles of car ownership. With cutting-edge technology and a strong partnership with the city, Truqit, now headquartered and operating in NYC, is poised to bring about a brighter, greener future for all."

"We are grateful to work with the New York City Department of Transportation and the communities it serves to provide more New Yorkers with access to Zipcar's professionally maintained fleet of shared vehicles," said Angelo Adams, head of Zipcar. "From our pilot data and more than two decades of serving New York City, we know there is a genuine need to provide more on-demand access to vehicles, given the high cost and hassle of owning one in the city. Together with the NYC DOT, Zipcar is dedicated to decreasing congestion and carbon emissions while providing convenient, equitable transportation options to New Yorkers, including with more hybrid and electric vehicles."

Launched in 2018, DOT's original pilot program had a goal of 300 spaces in on-street parking spaces and in DOT-managed public lots. As part of its initial citywide expansion, DOT and carshare companies have identified 80 curbside carshare spaces in the Pelham Bay and Westchester Square sections of The Bronx; Bay Ridge, Bushwick, Brownsville, and Sunset Park in Brooklyn; and Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Long Island City, and Woodside in Queens.

Information on locations being installed this month can be found on the DOT's website. DOT is taking feedback from community boards and adjusting where applicable. Once all sites are installed, an up-to-date map of locations will be available here. 

New locations are being selected by participating carshare companies based upon knowledge of customer demand and household demographic data. Locations must also conform with criteria set forth by the NYC DOT to ensure the program reaches underserved New Yorkers in Equity Zone Areas, defined as Tier 1 Priority Investment Areas (PIAs) in the New York City Streets Plan.

"Carshare options provide New Yorkers another degree of flexibility to meet their needs and get where they to go," said Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, city council majority whip and chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "Short-term carshare access can reduce emissions and vehicle miles traveled citywide. I support New York City Department of Transportation's efforts to expand this program, and I look forward to further investment in multi-modal transportation options for New Yorkers, especially in the city's transit deserts."