Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Car Sharing Program A Success, but Plans to Expand are Tentative
Photo by La Citta Vita via Flickr
()
Photo by La Citta Vita via Flickr
After debating speed limit increases, the Transportation Committee of the L.A. City Council yesterday heard an update on the pilot car sharing program currently going on at USC and UCLA with ZipCar. The verdict: it's a success.
Car sharing--in which people can rent a car by the hour--is nothing new on the campuses, but on September 15th of last year, the city began a pilot program allowing ZipCars to have designated on-street public parking spaces. What happened was an unusual growth, according to LADOT officials. The growth seen in one month was what ZipCar usually saw in one year. That says a lot, especially when you consider the program has received zero marketing, just word out mouth.
Despite the successes, LADOT wants another 120 days to study the program. "There are no plans to increase the program beyond vague commitments to come up with new ways to expand the program," noted a disappointed Damien Newton at Streetsblog LA.
Support for LAist comes from
One of the problems is the neverending saga of funding at city hall. As the staff size decreases and the work load increases in the parking permit office, which is currently overseeing the pilot, the reality of car sharing management is dwindling. The office has a 50% vacancy at the moment, added Amir Sedadi of LADOT.
Joe Zeigler, Vice President of ZipCar agreed with the program's success and thinks Los Angeles has great potential for car sharing despite it not being the classic city for car sharing. "Our issue is to be very measured about it," he said.
Related: Metro Eyes Hollywood & Koreatown, City Envisions Downtown & USC for Bicycle Sharing Programs
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist