How to Make the Sharing Economy Work for Governments

Gabe Klein discusses some of the merits and challenges of forging private-public partnerships between disruptive companies and government entities.

1 minute read

September 4, 2014, 11:00 AM PDT

By Maayan Dembo @DJ_Mayjahn


Writing for Urban Land Magazine, Klein discusses private-public partnerships between companies within the sharing economy and governments. In particular, he reflects on his experiences working at Zipcar.

Noting how new services such as Uber and Lyft are helping cities fill transportation system gaps at a relatively low cost, these companies show, "that if government doesn’t pay attention to disruptive technology, new companies will find a way to work around the government... they have created a net-positive influence because they ultimately have shifted the balance of power in favor of consumers."

Unlike Uber and Lyft though, Zipcar worked hand in hand with governments to form a strong and effective partnership, "after many meetings with the powers that be in various cities including Washington, D.C., we figured it out together: a new local regulatory structure was born for 'car sharing' in most locales, which allowed us to operate and work toward profitability." With this new regulatory structure, governments provided high-profile parking spots and additional marketing, while Zipcar closed gaps in the transportation system.

Klein also outlines his key principles for successful PPPs: embrace and shape change, prioritize the public ahead of private interests, be flexible and compromise to benefit the public good and allow for profitability, and promote transparency.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014 in Urban Land Magazine

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

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 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight