EVALUATION OF THE SHORT-TERM AUTO RENTAL (STAR) IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA. FINAL REPORT

This report presents an evaluation of the Short-Term Auto Rental (STAR) demonstration project operated from December 1983 through March 1985 by Crain & Associates. The STAR project represented an effort to reduce the need for personal automobile ownership by providing individuals with the opportunity to use the automobile more appropriately; using it only when necessary, and using public transportation and ridesharing alternatives whenever possible. STAR service was structured to encourage individuals to use rental vehicles in place of private automobiles for short-term trip-making. Located within a major apartment complex in San Francisco, STAR vehicles could be rented for a ten-minute trip as well as for a day-long trip. Prices were calculated on a per-minute basis until the daily rate was reached and member households were billed monthly. The STAR demonstration had mixed results. Although the STAR Company was successful from a consumer perspective, it did not succeed financially and had limited success in meeting its transportation and societal objectives. The availability of STAR improved the mobility of member households while it reduced their auto ownership needs. Overall, auto usage increased as a result of STAR's availability, with STAR primarily attracting private auto trips and, to a lesser extent, transit trips.