Car-share services

[from Joe Martin]

Dear Neighbors:

I wrote to Dan Tangherlini, Director of DC's Department of Transportation (DDOT), to support his plans to introduce Flex Car and Zip Car into areas outside of the downtown business and residential neighborhoods.

Let me note, I have no financial interest in these companies, just a desire to increase local transportation options.

Flex Car and Zip Car are car-sharing services that allow members to use cars for short periods of time. The cars are made easily available by having them parked throughout neighborhoods, usually in privately-owned spaces. A range of vehicles are available from pick-up trucks to Mini-Coopers to hybrid vehicles, SUVs and so on. Once you're a member, you find out where cars are parked, swipe your membership card at the car, and off you go.

I received an email from Ms. Samira Cook of DDOT asking me to suggest places for creating spaces for Flex and Zip Cars in Petworth. You can forward your own suggestions directly to Ms. Cook: [email protected]

I know people who live in downtown neighborhoods in various US cities, including friends in Shaw, Adams Morgan, Dupont and Logan Circle, who swear by this service. They are popular here in DC but to my knowledge Flex and Zip Cars are not available in our area.

These services make it easy to have access to a vehicle without the burdens and expense of car ownership. It's also less expensive than renting a vehicle for a full day from Hertz, Budget, etc. when one only needs a car for an errand, a trip to the suburbs, whatever.

Joseph Martin
ANC 4C09 Commissioner

Comments

[Account Deleted]

Lot of useful information are there. Its really keeps me updated. Thanks to Author.
http://themotoring.com

[evc]

Saw this online today re: car sharing - Tuesday, October 18, 2005

DDOT Designates Carsharing Spaces

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced the designation of 50 new on-street parking spaces for carsharing vehicles throughout the city, including Petworth, Adams Morgan, Mount Pleasant and Historic Anacostia.

The spaces are marked with orange poles, special signage and stencils outlining the parking space and are in addition to 150 spaces already in use. They were picked in consultation with the local Advisory Neighborhood Commission, businesses and community leaders. Zipcar and Flexcar are the two companies working with DDOT on this endeavor.

"Carsharing meets many of DDOT's goals - it reduces traffic congestion, air pollution and demand for parking while increasing demand for alternative forms of transportation," said Dan Tangherlini, Director of the Department of Transportation.

Carsharing allows members to use a car while only paying for the time and mileage that they actually use. The experience of Arlington and other localities, as well as research studies, show that people who join carsharing services often sell their car or avoid buying a second one, using transit as well as walking and biking instead. The result is good for the environment, traffic and parking congestion.

Carsharing can be especially advantageous for low-income persons because their transportation needs are not fully met by transit, taxis or traditional rental cars. The contract with Zipcar and Flexcar requires that cars be available in all wards of the city.

For more information please visit ddot.dc.gov/carsharing.

Location of the Petworth Flexcar space - 9th and Upshur - http://www.flexcar.com/washingtondc/locations.asp?nI=188#188

[Samira Cook]

DDOT has recently investigated locations near the Petworth Metro Station for placement of two car-sharing vehicles. At this time we are confirming street cleaning routes which may impede on placement. I will keep you abreast of the final decision.

Regards, Samira Cook

[jtnt]

My fiancee uses the FlexCar at the Takoma Park metro stop regularly. I would definitely support adding access to these services in Petworth.

[Andrew]

During the RFP and developer-selection process for the Metro-station site, we suggested to Donatelli & Klein (the selected developer) that they devote one of the garage spaces in the building to Zip/Flex car. They agreed to this, although it may only have been verbally and they may need to be reminded again (construction supposedly due to start in late 2005?).