Q: Why is DDOT permitting point-to-point vehicles mid-year?
A: DDOT recognizes the importance of vehicle sharing to create equitable transportation access across the District and reduce reliance on single-occupancy and privately-owned automobiles. As part of the agency’s vision, DDOT is facilitating new mobility and encouraging alternatives to single occupancy vehicle use in the city. Reopening the carsharing application process creates the opportunity to increase the number of shared mobility options in the very near term.
Q: Does this new application and permit differ from the previous permitting process?
A: Yes. The current terms and conditions of the permit have been updated and all existing operators will need to re-apply.
Q: Should current operators apply for the mid-year permit?
A: Yes. Existing operators must apply for the mid-year permit and agree to the updated terms and conditions to continue fleet operation.
Q: Is there a maximum number of applicants that will be accepted?
A: No. DDOT will consider all applicants that are able and willing to operate their fleet in accordance with the updated terms and conditions.
Q: Is there a minimum/maximum number of vehicles new applicants must apply for?
A: Each applicant will be required to commit to a service level of between one hundred (100) and six hundred (600) carsharing vehicles for point-to-point carsharing services in Washington, DC’s public right-of-way.
Q: Will mid-year applicants be eligible for a fleet increase?
A: Yes. Mid-year applicants will be assessed annually on compliance of their terms and conditions with DDOT. Pending favorable assessments, new operators may be allowed a fleet increase in January 2020. The areas of assessment will be provided in the permit terms and conditions.
Q: What is the term of the mid-year application?
A: The mid-year permit ends December 31, 2019. DDOT is currently conducting a program review of the carsharing permitting process and will inform operators by December 2019 of the steps needed to continue operation in 2020.
Q: What is the timeline for application submission and Public Right-of-Way Occupancy Permit (PROWOP) issuance for operation in calendar year 2019?
A: The mid-year application timeline is as follows:
- Sample permit terms and conditions made available for comment: August 21, 2019
- Comments close: September 5, 2019
- DDOT publishes final permit documents: October 18, 2019
Please submit comments to [email protected]. These comments and the District's response will be made public at the end of this process.
- Applicant signs permit terms and conditions and submits data and document verification of permit compliance
- DDOT completes review of permit compliance and issues or denies permit (5 business days after previous)
- Permit issued (1 business day after previous)
- Applicant's signed permit published on website (10 business days after previous)
- Application submission deadline: November 15, 2019
Applications will be reviewed, considered, and awarded on a rolling basis.