Example: City of Sydney
The City of Sydney, one of the most traffic congested cities in Australia, is an enthusiastic supporter of car sharing. According to its website, a single car share vehicle in a busy region such as Sydney’s city area can replace up to 12 private vehicles (all vying for valuable parking spaces!).
In the Sydney city area more than 15,000 residents and business owners are members of a car share business, using the 600+ vehicles that are available. The City now has more than 500 reserved parking spaces for car share vehicles.
“We began our car sharing trial in 2007 when three car share operators responded to an open Expression of Interest. More recently, we commissioned an independent economic appraisal of car sharing in the City of Sydney. The SGS Economics and Planning study found that car sharing, which has more than tripled in the local area over the past three years, has led to an easing of parking congestion and savings to residents of $21 million a year, including $18.5 million in deferred car purchases by residents and business.
“The study found other benefits include:
• reduced travel times and traffic congestion
• reduced parking times
• personal health improvements from more walking
• reduced greenhouse gas emissions due to less cars on the road
• more efficient vehicle usage.
“To make sure the public interest is upheld, we impose strict quality and reporting requirements on the car share companies involved:
• Membership must be available to all local residents and businesses. Vehicles must be fuel efficient and in the lowest emissions category for their type.
• 24-hour booking systems must be available.
• Monthly data must be collected on the use of individual spaces.
“An estimated 6.4% of households in the City are now car share members – two-thirds of the way to our 10% target of households by 2016.” (Taken from City of Sydney’s website, July 2014: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov. au/live/residents/car-sharing)
There are three main car share schemes operating in Sydney city. Log on to one of their websites to see how you become a member, how you can book, what types of cars are available, and their designated on-street parking spots: