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New York City Vehicle Ownership
The 2000 census shows that most households within New York City are car-free.
Vehicle ownership varies considerably across the five boroughs; it is lowest in Manhattan and highest in Staten Island [1]. This variation most likely reflects the ease and accessibility of alternative modes of transport. Factors such as household income and parking availability are also important.
| Borough
|
households with zero vehicles
|
| Bronx
|
60%
|
| Brooklyn
|
54%
|
| Manhattan
|
77%
|
| Queens
|
34%
|
| Staten Island
|
18%
|
| Total 5 Boroughs
|
54%
|
Even in Staten Island, vehicle ownership is still well below the national average. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, only 8% of American households do not own a car [2]. Vehicle ownership is strongly related to distance traveled. People in households with at least one vehicle travel twice far as those in households without a vehicle. They also use a car for more than 90% of their trips, while those without a vehicle travel on foot or via transit 57% of the time. Households with a vehicle walk or take public transit for only 1% and 8% of their trips, respectively. [2]
Nationally, renters and low-income households are far less likely to own a vehicle than wealthy homeowners. [2] These two factors are somewhat contradictory in New York City, particularly in Manhattan, where renters tend to be very wealthy. Again, the pedestrian-oriented street framework contributes to very low vehicle ownership here.
New York City vehicle ownership statistics are instructive in the debate over Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed congestion pricing scheme. They show that most city workers do not drive to work within the congestion pricing zone, and therefore would not be affected by the fee [3]. Within the five boroughs, households with vehicles tend to be much wealthier — evidence that the fee would not unfairly burden the working class.
ALSO ON THE LIVABLE STREETS NETWORK
- Streetsblog: It’s Showtime for DOT Parking Team
- Streetsblog: How Paris is Beating Traffic Without Congestion Pricing
REFERENCES
[1] O’Neill, Steven M. Compiled from 2000 census data at rightofway.org.
[2] ”Vehicle Ownership and Availability”. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. US Department of Transportation. Data from the 2001 National Household Travel Survey.
[3] NY City Council District Factsheets. The Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
[4]
PICTURE REFERENCES
Pictures are cited in the order they appear above. Please keep citation style consistent.
[1]
[2]
