Car sharing services are thriving in cities such as San Francisco because they make so much economic sense. People who live where parking is at a premium and who only occasionally need a vehicle save hundreds of dollars per month compared to owning a car, as described in the San Francisco Chronicle.
For people who take public transit to work or work from home and only need cars for shopping and the occasional weekend trip, car sharing is a bargain, costing between $50 and $250 per month. Insurance alone in some cities can cost several hundred bucks per month, and car payments are usually at least $300 per month. California and other states also charge significant fees for registering vehicles.
Municipalities should do all that they can to encourage participation in car sharing because of the environmental benefits (people who share cars drive less) and reducing the clutter on the streets. Perhaps they could package MUNI fees with the car share services to make them even more attractive.
