How stripping away 600 spots may help NYC parking woes

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A new pilot program launching soon in New York City will help ease the burden drivers face in finding a parking spot.

The program actually takes away 600 spots in the city's five boroughs, but it's supposed to make it easier to park.

Car owners find the payoff hard to believe.

"I think people who park on the street will be furious because they are going to have a more difficult time to find spaces," resident Ollie Rosengart said. "I'm one of those people. I don't want spaces taken away."

But DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said there's a big picture pay off to the program.

"If there's a good car share service, it will often mean people will shed their cars and in some cases, one car share can induce as many as 8 to 20 people to give up their cars," Trottenberg said.

Here's how the two-year pilot program will work. The city will dedicate 300 parking spots on the streets and an additional 300 at DOT parking facilities, specifically for car share vehicles. Drivers will rent them by the minute or hourly -- think Zipcar.

Officials said they will work with elected officials and community boards to see where it makes sense to place the program.

The DOT is thinking the best neighborhoods are those with good subway connections, where cars are used occasionally or mostly on the weekends.

Some people like the idea.

"If we are decreasing our carbon footprint, that's win for all of us," said Faith Corbett, a Brooklyn resident.