Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Carsharing Video to Promote Alternative Transportation in the District

Contact (Media Only): Erik Linden (202) 671-2004

(Washington, DC) The District of Columbia's Office of Cable Television and Telecommunications (OCTT) has launched a new four-minute video currently running on City Cable 16 that discusses the benefits of carsharing in the District. The video—produced in conjunction with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT)—currently runs on City Cable 16 approximately eight times per day.

"At DDOT, we're deeply committed to reducing congestion and parking problems with innovative transportation options such as carsharing," said acting DDOT Director Michelle Pourciau. "Carsharing provides the mobility of a car without the expense and hassle of car ownership. It's one way we're focusing heavily on creating 'multi modal' transportation options in the District."

Experiences in other cities as well as independent studies show that each carsharing vehicle is used by many households. People who join a carsharing service often sell a car or avoid purchasing one. Thus, carsharing helps reduce parking and traffic congestion. For this reason, DDOT is providing a limited number of strategically-placed curbside parking spaces for the exclusive use of carsharing vehicles.

These spaces were selected in consultation with Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs), businesses and community leaders. The District has 86 on-street carsharing spaces in all eight wards of the city. Both Zipcar and Flexcar—two private car sharing firms—also maintain off-street spaces devoted to car sharing vehicles.

DDOT continues to partner with Zipcar and Flexcar to educate the public about car sharing. Carsharing locations and program details are available on the firms' websites. Information about the carsharing program, including the new video, is available online.