New Car Share Service Demands Parking Privileges

With the possible entry of a fourth car sharing service into San Francisco, Daimler's Car2Go, the MTA must consider exemptions from the city's strict parking policies, specifically on-street parking in residential parking districts and metered zones.

2 minute read

September 17, 2012, 10:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


San Francisco is well-served by car sharing services:

All three services require the customer to return the car to designated spaces that the car share company has provided. Car2Go would allow the customer to leave the vehicle on any city street.

San Francisco Chronicle transportation reporter, Michael Cabanatuan, explains what is needed for Car2Go to serve the SF market.

"Car2Go...allows its members to find the nearest car on a computer or smartphone app, walk up to it, open it with a smart card and drive it away. Drivers can park the cars, without feeding a meter, at any legal on-street parking spot.

"For Car2Go to work in San Francisco, the city would have to change its parking policies to let car-sharing drivers use on-street parking, something the Municipal Transportation Agency has been reluctant to allow, except in a few small experiments, including in front of City Hall. Parking policies would have to be changed to allow Car2Go users to ignore parking meters or residential parking restrictions."

"In all of the cities we operate," said Katie Stafford, a Car2Go spokeswoman, "we have that arrangement. It's a requirement for us to come in."

The request is under consideration by the MTA, as is a request by Supervisor Malia Cohen to provide car share to neighborhoods lacking the service.

"It's relatively easy to find a car-sharing vehicle downtown, South of Market or in the Castro, she said, but almost impossible in the city's southern neighborhoods (including the Bayview where Cohen lives)."

Friday, September 14, 2012 in San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business