Hoboken Corner Cars Gets New York Times Review

The New York Times has decided to weigh in on the discussion about Corner Cars in Hoboken, by praising the program in a column in Sunday's newspaper. 

Ariel Kaminer, the New York Times' city critic, went on a test drive and wrote, "All in all, it's about as convenient as car rental could ever be." 

The city and Connect by Hertz launched the country's first city wide car-sharing program, called "corner cars," on June 16. Director of Transportation and Parking Ian Sacs has predicted that for each parking spot, about 17 cars will be given up. In total that would result in removing roughly 750 cars from the streets of Hoboken, Sacs has predicted. But, he has said also, this is a long-term effect. The cars will not be given up overnight. 

The corner cars will be parked on blocks throughout the city, ready to be used at any point of the day. New members have to sign up online, after which they receive an electronic card with which they can reserve the car. Just walk to the block and get in. 

"There's something a little strange about walking up to a car you've never seen before and simply letting yourself in," Kaminer wrote. "But we got over it."

Although Hobokenites have expressed their wariness about giving up their cars, the city announced in the past week that corner cars memberships have doubled in the last two weeks. 

According to a press release sent out by Spokesman Juan Melli, more than 200 Hobokenites have signed up for the program. At Wednesday's City Council meeting Sacs said that the first person had given a car that day (to which Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo commented that the city needs 749 more people to do that).

Currently there are 25 corner cars parked throughout the city. Eventually there will be 50 cars placed around the Mile Square, parked in spots that are identified with green lines. 

"It's too soon to measure any impact," Kaminer wrote in Sunday's column.  But, she wrote about people giving up their cars, "it's not as unlikely as it sounds."

To sign up for the program, residents can enter the code "Hoboken" to receive a $75 driving credit to their account and to have two years of the annual membership fee waived ($25 application fee required). Residents can learn more about the program on the city's website.