Authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold public hearings on car sharing in the City of Philadelphia and exploring problems car sharing organizations have encountered in the City, including zoning regulations and on-street parking regulations, potential solutions to such problems and long-term policies and incentives to encourage and expand car sharing programs.

WHEREAS, Car sharing provides flexible use of vehicles for an urban lifestyle. Users of car sharing programs typically have instant-access to a network of cars throughout a city, 24 hours-a-day, paying-per-trip, and without commitment or inconvenience of owning a car. As a result, car sharing is becoming more popular; and

WHEREAS, Typical car sharing programs allow users to reserve, online or by phone, vehicles (cars, vans or trucks) that are strategically located throughout neighborhoods across the city. Users pay only when they actually use the vehicle whether it is for a few hours, a day or a week; and

WHEREAS, Car sharing programs encourage efficient use of vehicles by logistically reducing the number of vehicles on the road and by promoting individual vehicles to be used by multiple drivers throughout the day as opposed to multiple drivers using multiple vehicles; and

WHEREAS, In addition to reducing the number of vehicles on city roads, car sharing promotes using fuel efficient vehicles, encouraging a more “environmentally-friendly” atmosphere in urban settings; and

WHEREAS, Typical users, because of these environmentally friendly principles, are inspired to drive less and use mass transit more often, which aids in the reduction of traffic as well as green house gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, There are a number of different car sharing organizations with various models of operation including some that are for-profit and others that are not-for-profit; and

WHEREAS, Some car sharing organizations have received citations for violating various city regulations and laws. The City's policies, laws and regulations should be explored to rectify these problems. In addition, additional incentives should be provided to parking lot owners and private developers to encourage greater use of car sharing within these private facilities; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY PHILADELPHIA,

The Committee on Streets and Services is authorized to hold public hearings on car sharing in the City of Philadelphia and exploring problems car sharing organizations have encountered in the City, including zoning regulations and on-street parking regulations, potential solutions to such problems and long-term policies and incentives to encourage and expand car sharing programs.

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