City of Oakland California

Car share is a membership-based service available to all qualified drivers in a community, which allows members to make vehicle trips by operating a rented vehicle without a separate written agreement for each trip. The City adopted its first formal car share policy in 2015 (find the legislation on Legistar), which provided a regulatory framework for car share in the public right-of-way and municipal lots and garages. Recognizing the role of car share in achieving many of the City’s goals, the Parking and Mobility team is implementing two separate car share pilot programs: the Free-Floating Car Share Pilot and the Dedicated Space Car Share Pilot. Each of the pilot programs, described below, allow “qualified car share organizations” to purchase permits from the City. The Car Sharing Program is primarily funded with a $320,000 grant of federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds awarded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Revenue from the sales of car sharing permits will also fund the program.

Free-Floating Car Share Pilot

What is it?

“Free-floating” car share allows a member to rent an available car share vehicle, and complete the trip anywhere in a designated “home zone.” The member may drive the vehicle out of the zone, but can only end a trip within the zone. The viability of this model relies on the car share organization’s ability to park its vehicles on-street in both metered and residential areas free from parking duration limits. Vehicles are available 24/7 and are owned by a private car share organization. The City adopted the Free-Floating Zone Parking Permit (FFZPP) and the Master Residential Parking Permit (MRPP) in February of 2015 and is currently (February 2017) working with two car share organizations interested in pursuing permits.

Where, how many, and when?

As detailed in the FFZPP/MRPP Terms and Conditions, At least 20 percent of the home zone must encompass all or parts of census tracts that have been designated Communities of Concern by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). Operators are pursuing a multi-city home zone that includes parts of both Oakland and Berkeley. There are currently 250 free-floating vehicles in service (GIG Car Share), with the possibility of more vehicles down the road based on the success of the pilot.

Dedicated Space Car Share Pilot

What is it?

“Dedicated Space” car share is the first and most common form of car share. This model consists of members making round trips from a dedicated location. Vehicles are available 24/7, and are owned by a car share organization. This form of car share can actually relieve parking congestion and expand car share services to neighborhoods without parking lots or garages. The City adopted the Dedicated Space Parking Permit in November of 2016 and is currently (June 2017) working with three car share organizations interested in pursuing permits.

Where, how many, and when?

As detailed in the Dedicated Space Car Share Terms and Conditions, the City will strive to ensure that as many Oaklanders can access car share services as possible through strategic siting policies and incentives. Operators can pursue permits throughout the City, but the price of the permit varies depending on the demand for the space. Operators will be incentivized to pursue spaces in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods like East and West Oakland though the opportunity area bonus formula. The City anticipates approximately 100 dedicated space vehicles will be located in on-street spaces over the course of the pilot, beginning in Summer 2017. The City hopes to permit more dedicated spaces down the road, based on the success of the pilot.

Apply for Permits

The first step to applying for any of the City of Oakland's car share permits is to become a Qualified Car Share Organization. Please first review the Qualified Car Share Organization Terms and Conditions below and reach out to Parking and Mobility staff at carshare@oaklandnet.com with any questions.

Terms and Conditions Documents

• Qualified Car Share Organization Terms and Conditions (PDF)
• Free-Floating Zone/Master Residential Parking Permit Terms and Conditions (PDF)
• Dedicated Space Car Share Permit Terms and Conditions (PDF)

Permit Applications

• Free-Floating Zone/Master Residential Parking Permit Application (PDF)
• Dedicated Space Car Share Permit Application (PDF)

Updates

April 30th, 2017: GIG Car Share initiates the Bay Area's first free-floating car share service in Oakland and Berkeley.

November 29, 2016: City Council adopted a variety of parking and mobility initiatives, including an ordinance that created the Dedicated Space Car Share permit.

July 25, 2016: The City is releasing a crowdsourcing map to see where the general public would like a dedicated space for car sharing. You will be asked to provide basic information about yourself, place a pin on the map where you would like a dedicated space, and describe why you think that is a good location. The input received from this map will help staff determine where the best places are to permit car share spaces. You can place as many points within Oakland as you like. To participate, click here and you will be redirected to the map.

July 5, 2016: The City reached out to interested car share operators with a memo documenting the anticipated pricing and permit approval process for the dedicated space car share pilot. While the pilot is still in the preliminary stages, this memo provides car share organizations the opportunity to provide input on potential dedicated space locations throughout the City.

Documents and Reports

• Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Free Floating Car Share (PDF)
• Crowdsourcing Map for Dedicated Space Car Share (July 2016, Link)
• Memo to Car Share Organizations Soliciting Input (July 2016, PDF)
• FY 2015-2016 Master Fee Schedule (November 2015, PDF)
• Car Sharing Policy Resolution (March 2015)
• Ordinance to Establish the Master Residential Parking Permits and Free Floating Parking Zone (March 2015)
• MTC’s Grant Award Announcement (December 2014, PDF)
   

Timeline

Contact

Michael Ford, Ph.D.

Parking & Mobility Programs
Oakland Department of Transportation
carshare@oaklandnet.com