Yarra Council has finalised details of how car sharing will be expanded to reduce traffic congestion and increase sustainable transport options for locals and visitors to our city.
The Car Share Policy 2019-2024 was updated to include a detailed implementation plan. Once implemented, parking spaces available to car share providers will be increased by 131 spaces over the next 5 years, bringing the total to 283.
Every 40th car share vehicle introduced by any single operator will be wheelchair accessible, making it easier for people with disability to get around Yarra.
The implementation plan outlines location criteria, the application process and car share provider qualification process, fees, reporting requirements and the process for community consultation when applications are lodged.
Sustainable methods of transport like public transport, cycling and walking are readily available in Yarra. However for the times when a car is necessary, car sharing is a cost effective alternative to owning a car.
Research shows that one car share vehicle can replace between 7-10 privately owned vehicles, which reduces congestion and demand for on street car parking. Convenient access to a car share service can also lead to people replacing 15-50% of their car trips with public transport, walking and cycling.
Yarra Council formally adopted its on 16 July 2019.
The policy is about managing a balanced increase of car share locations to increase sustainable transport options for the local community. It will also guide how any requests for new car share bays are to be assessed by council.
Council resolution 18 December 2019, Item 11.9
1. That Council:
(a) note the officer report on the Car Share Implementation Plan;
(b) note that car share is encouraged in the Yarra Strategic Transport Statement, which includes an action requiring that Council develop a car share policy;
(c) note that rollout of car share has been suspended pending the introduction of a car share policy and that the further car share bays cannot occur until an Implementation Plan is adopted by the Council so that officers can process applications lodged by car share providers;
(d) adopt the Implementation Plan as attached; and
(e) authorise officers to implement the Car Share Policy.
