Subsector: Neighborhood Design
Implement Carshare Program
VMT Reduction Potential: 1
Cost: 2
ROI: 1
StanCOG Relevancy: 1
Land Use Content: Urban, Suburban
Trip Type: School, Residential, Commute, Recreation
Scale: Regional
Timing: Short Term (1-3 years)
Implementors-Private: Educational Institutions, Employers, Property Managers
Implementors-Public: Municipalities, Regional Agencies
References: California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (2024), StanCOG 2026 RTP/SCS, StanisCruise Program

Description

Partnering with carshare providers to launch or expand service in downtown areas, major activity centers, educational campuses, and near transit facilities offers dedicated parking and discounted membership fees, promoting shared mobility and reducing the need for private vehicle ownership.

Implementation Details

  • Launch carshare hubs at multifamily housing, major employment centers, educational institutions, downtown areas, and major transit locations where sufficient demand exists.
  • Develop parking cash-out policies and discounted membership programs in partnership with mobility providers.
  • Pilot flexible carshare models in Disadvantaged Communities and transit-poor areas to improve regional mobility and reduce household vehicle ownership.

Mitigation Potential

Carshare programs provide users with access to a vehicle without the need to own one. Carshare programs encourage users to consolidate trips and reduce unnecessary trips, reducing VMT.

For more details, see CAPCOA, T-21-A. Implement Conventional Carshare Program, pg. 150-152 and CAPCOA, T-21-B. Implement Electric Carshare Program, pg. 154-158 for VMT reduction quantification.

Linked Strategies

Equity Considerations

To support equitable access, carshare services should be located in areas with low vehicle ownership, especially near affordable housing and underserved transit zones. Discounted memberships for income-qualified users and multilingual enrollment options can help reduce barriers. Partnerships with local housing developers and nonprofits can ensure outreach and station siting meet the needs of residents lacking private vehicle access.

Funding Sources

Requires staff time to coordinate with carshare providers and identify appropriate parking locations. Potential funding sources include the Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program and other state and regional clean transportation programs. Partnerships with employers, universities, housing providers, and local governments could also support implementation and operating costs.

Examples/Case Studies

Modesto Multimodal Transportation Planning

The City of Modesto is developing a Downtown Multimodal Transportation Network and Land Use Compatibility Action Plan that will integrate future ACE passenger rail service with the existing transportation network. This work provides a local planning context in which shared mobility, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian services could potentially be coordinated as part of a broader multimodal transportation system.