The CarSharing Association (CSA) comments on Minneapolis public on-street parking policies
The City of Minneapolis recently amended its carsharing pilot project to allow multiple carsharing operators to access public on-street parking spaces, instead of awarding exclusive parking privileges to a single operator.
The CarSharing Association (CSA) supports municipalities and public transit authorities that want to integrate shared-vehicle mobility systems into transportation and land use plans, but cautions that policy makers should consider all the benefits and risks when granting access to public resources. Specifically, municipalities and public transit authorities should require that carsharing organizations demonstrate how their services reduce overall demand for parking, reduce traffic congestion, and reduce CO2 emissions. Public policy makers should also evaluate potential carsharing partners by using the industry’s Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice to ensure that communities and carsharing members receive the affordability, convenience, and environmental benefits that carsharing provides. The CSA believes that no single carsharing operator should be granted exclusive access to public on-street parking. The CSA encourages municipalities and public transit authorities to employ an open and transparent consultation process with community stakeholders to ensure fair and equitable outcomes in shared-vehicle mobility planning.