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December 21, 2009 Section 4: Transportation and Land Use <br />4.4 Goal: Enhance and expand car sharing and ridesharing <br />programs <br />Car sharing is a means to provide a cheaper alternative to ownership of a private vehicle. <br />Typical costs related to a private vehicle such as monthly payments, gasoline, insurance, <br />maintenance and parking are taken on by an individual. Spreading these costs over many <br />users in car sharing programs, makes it more cost-effective and promotes a "pay-as-you go" <br />model for vehicle usage. Car sharing is more cost-effective than owning a vehicle when used <br />less than 7,000-10,000 miles per year. While it may not be suited for daily commuter trips, it <br />can be helpful for individuals who do not need to drive everyday and can ride public transit, walk <br />or bike to work or school. <br />Car share vehicles are located in designated parking spots <br />and are available for use 24 hours a day. Members of these <br />organizations do not have to carry insurance of their own as <br />membership includes full liability, collision coverage as well <br />as gasoline. Car sharing is best in dense neighborhoods, <br />central business districts, new planned unit developments, <br />medical campuses and universities. The Downtown San <br />Leandro BART station and the City's downtown garage are <br />ideal locations for a car share site. San Leandro Crossings, <br />the city's first TOD project, can also be a candidate for <br />implementing car share vehicles. <br />Car sharing reduces the number of cars on the road, improves air quality and reduces carbon <br />emissions. Car sharing companies that operate in the Bay Area (e.g. Zip Car and City <br />CarShare) could develop a partnership with the City of San Leandro to provide these types of <br />cars. <br />Another approach to reduced costs and vehicle miles traveled is to promote ridesharing <br />programs. One of the most significant barriers to ridesharing or carpooling is simply to match <br />interested parties with similar schedules and destinations. The City can promote regional <br />ridesharing efforts, including setting up a website linked from the City of San Leandro's main <br />website that would allow San Leandro residents to identify other people interested in carpooling. <br />The City can also help educate residents and businesses on the resources available to assist <br />individuals with organizing ridesharing programs. <br />Measures and actions for consideration: <br />Page 34 <br />Source: victoriacarshare.ca <br />