Change is afoot for transportation around destinations like Southwest Florida. Are cities like Tampa still planning too much for the old rental car model, and not for a future of transportation network companies, carsharing, and self-driving cars?
Robert Trigaux wonders if efforts to build a "a big rental car facility at the next-generation Tampa International Airport," reflects a planning focus that looks back rather than forward. The problem, according to Trigaux, is a growing body of evidence that U.S. business travelers are choosing to travel with the help of transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft rather than rental cars.
The study, by travel- and expense-management software provider Certify, finds that "Uber accounted for 43 percent of ground transportation transactions, while rental cars had 40 percent. Led by Uber and Lyft, ride-hailing services surpassed rental cars for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2015 and have since widened their lead."
The trend threatens to impact Southwest Florida beyond the plans to build a large rental car facility near the Tampa International Airport. The rental car company Hertz relocated to Florida from New Jersey in 2013, bringing hopes of expansion and thousands of new jobs with it. Now, however, Hertz "has issued recent earnings warnings and its stock, just under $30 a share in mid 2014, closed Thursday at just over $9 a share."
Trigaux also notes that Zipcar will soon launch its membership-based car-sharing service in Downtown Tampa. As reported in January 2013, Zipcar will be included in the footprint of the new airport rental car facility.
FULL STORY: As Uber grows and rental car companies struggle, is Tampa Bay planning for yesterday?
Study: Most Chicago Rideshare Trips Could Be Made by Transit
Researchers found that 99 percent of rideshare trips could be made by buses and trains — but the time savings roughly equal an hour’s wage.
Hong Kong Cab Hailing App Folds — and Uber Takes Over
HKTaxi launched a year before Uber came to town. Now, it’s shutting down. Lawmakers worry a monopoly looms.
Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Ride Share Compromise
A law awaiting the governor’s signature establishes wage rates for drivers. Ride share companies say if the law passes, they plan to continue service in the state.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
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)