What Happened?
Helsinki, Finland, wants to build out a public ridesharing service that would eliminate the need for privately-owned cars. The extensive, on-demand public transportation system would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase mobility efficiency throughout the capital city.
Goal
A recent study from Navigant Research outlined the strategy to expand a public ridesharing service to Helsinki residents. The city would support a subscriber program providing residents with on-demand access to various public transit options including:
- Car sharing
- Bike sharing
- Ferries
- Minibus
Because the city would run the subscription service as a single program, there would be only one form of payment required to access all transit types. Access to the transportation network would be billed to residents the same way utilities or other amenities are when individuals sign up for a plan or service. People could pay for monthly or annual access, rather than worrying about covering the cost of each trip individually.
Evolving Away From Personal Cars
The Navigant Research’s report on car sharing programs worldwide revealed membership to these services has grown 28 percent in the last four years. It is forecasted that global car sharing participation will exceed 12 million people by 2020, with Europe leading in membership rates.
Similarly, a study published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists theorizes that the elimination of privately-owned cars is an inevitable side effect of programs pushing for more efficient vehicles and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The study believes California as the demographic makeup and political environment to become a car-less state, as more energy-efficient projects make their way onto the roads. Efforts include:
- Bike sharing
- Plug-in electric hybrids
- Robotic cars
- Natural gas-fueled vehicles
- Electric cars
California has made transportation and air quality concerns top priority. The state has proven there is a strong market for energy-efficient transit options, opening the door for a car-less California in the future.
Hiccups Along The Road
While California continues to push forward with innovative transit options, other regions are hitting roadblocks. In Germany, the Frankfurt Regional Court is placing restrictions on car sharing companies such as Uber, claiming the programs violate national transportation laws.
According to Reuters, the court determined Uber drivers must have commercial permits when offering rides. Because Uber drivers rarely have these permits, the company as had a temporary injunction placed on it by the courts.
Typically, Uber drivers need only a driver’s license to participate in the program. In Germany, however, Uber drivers must have local commercial permits and pass a background check. With both, Uber drivers are not allowed to charge passengers for more than the cost of the trip, eliminating the ability for drivers to make a profit.
If Uber violates the injunction, the company could face a penalty of more than $250,000 per ride. The lawsuit was brought against Uber by a local taxi company, similar to other cases Uber as faced in the United States from disgruntled cab providers. Uber plans to appeal the court’s decision.
Car Sharing Saves Money
Gov1 has found many cities are implementing municipal car sharing programs that are cutting costs and lowering emissions.