Zipcar is a newcomer in Tampa Bay, but the efforts to expand its business in the next few years will provide a case study in how less dense cities can expand alternative transportation options.
Justine Griffin covers the ongoing efforts to expand the use of car-sharing in Tampa Bay, a city that tends not to encourage many people to go carless, like San Francisco, Chicago, or New York can.
According to Griffin, "[c]ar-sharing companies have been in Tampa Bay since before anyone was using the words Uber or Lyft. But the rollout of the business model — which lets users rent a car by the hour or the day usually online or through an app — has been slow to catch on."
Zipcar has been in Tampa for a year, currently operating eight cars, but "the company is preparing to expand its local fleet when the new rental car facility opens at Tampa International Airport next year," writes Griffin. Zipcar "is also talking with transit organizations in Tampa to expand further," according to a Zipcar manager quoted in the article.
Griffin cites another car-sharing service based at the University of South Florida as an example of the quickly growing market for car-sharing services. The question broached by the article is whether the city has enough alternative transportation options to supplement and compliment car-sharing as a business model.
FULL STORY: In shadow of Uber and Lyft, car sharing tries to shape a future in Tampa Bay
Paris Is Great, But Here's Where the Green Mobility Revolution Is Happening
A movement toward sustainable mobility is taking place across Europe, not just in the City of Lights.
No Relief in Sight for Tampa Bay Renters
The region’s rents are rising sharply, while experts expect multi-family construction to slow down.
Luxury Housing Construction and Rents on the Rise in Tampa Bay
A majority of new construction permits in the region are for high-end housing, accompanied by an increase in average rents.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)