A report released last week by the Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives quantified flaws permeating the recent parking industry study of the Manhattan carpool rule (MTR #’s 354, 353).The paper, by Schaller Consulting, supports the charge that the parking industry report is misleading and fails to examine any of the carpool rule’s benefits.

City officials said last week the carpool rule would remain in place until June, when it would be evaluated again.The city’s study of the rule has not been released, but comments by officials indicated that it would find that the rule has increased carpooling and transit use without creating the severe economic consequences asserted by the garage owners.

The parking industry report claims that the carpool rule is responsible for 189,687 fewer people entering Manhattan’s central business district by auto each weekday.However, analysis of the industry’s data shows only 6.7% of the reduction occurs during the 6-10 a.m. period on crossings where the carpool rule is in effect.Nearly all of the drop in auto traffic attributed to the carpool rule by the parking industry occurred at crossings or times not governed by the rule – 22% from closure of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel; 32% from decline of people entering the CBD from north of 60^th Street, where the rule does not apply; and 39% outside the 6-10 a.m. period.

Schaller’s analysis of larger transportation trends suggests that many commuters have switched from cars to transit, indicating long-term benefits of the carpool rule. Subway ridership into the Central Business District has fallen less quickly than auto traffic. Some auto users may now be taking transit, still bringing their business into Manhattan. 

Still, the rule is a target for the garage owners and their allies in organized labor and the City Council. Council Member David Weprin (Hollis) introduced a resolution Wednesday demanding the rule’s repeal.

The Bloomberg administration could do a better job at muting such opposition, and outer borough antagonism to suggestions of tolling East River bridges, by reaching out to explain its positions to the Council, borough presidents and other constituencies. So far, city government seems to lack a coordinated game plan to build support for its anti-congestion and other transportation initiatives.

Carpool Critics' Weak Case 
(Feb. 25, 2002)

Report Shows Increase in Carpooling 
(Feb 18, 2002) 

Carpool Rule Set Until May
(Feb. 11, 2002) 

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