More and more inner cities are becoming car-free while car ownership is increasing. On the one hand, the number of public parking spaces is declining; on the other hand, there are companies with an empty car park in the evenings and weekends. For companies with a car park, car-free development offers opportunities to earn money with their car park.
Discouraging car use
A car-free city is one with minimal motorised traffic, particularly in historic city centres of both medium and large cities. Municipalities are actively working to make their inner cities car-free to create healthier and safer environments. They discourage car use through measures such as:
- Removing public parking spaces
- Increasing parking fees
- Closing roads to create cycle streets where cars are guests
- Introducing parking permits for residents
More cars, more people, more expensive public transport
In 2023, an additional 180,000 cars were added to Dutch roads compared to the previous year. The CBS has projected that the population will reach 18 million by 2024. With public transport costs expected to rise in the coming years, it is likely that cars will remain popular.
Empty car parks
Twenty-nine large and medium-sized municipalities aim to become car-free within the next five years. Cars will play a diminishing role in public spaces, which will be increasingly used for people to stay, walk, and cycle. More greenery will be added to improve the quality of the environment. Despite the increasing number of cars and people, and the rising cost of public transport, companies in and around inner cities have nearly empty car parks on weekends and weekday evenings. Our data shows that car parks are less than 2% full during these times.
How can companies respond to this?
When company car parks are empty, there is an opportunity to meet the demand from local residents and day-trippers. Local residents with regular working hours can park when company employees are home. Day-trippers who visit the city in the evening or during the day typically do so when business car parks are almost empty. This allows companies to unlock their car parks for private individuals, generating additional revenue.
Location determines your turnover:
- The average business car park has 150 parking spaces
- Our data shows an average occupancy of 2% on weekends, equating to 3 occupied spaces
- This leaves 147 free spaces per weekend day
- These 147 spaces are available 24 hours a day: 147*24 = 3,528 hours
- The average parking fee in the Netherlands is €3.80 per hour
- The potential turnover per weekend day is 3,528*€3.80 = €13,406.40
- For a whole weekend, this results in additional income of €13,406.40*2 = €26,812.80
This is based on 100% occupancy. The location of the car park is essential for achieving high occupancy rates. Factors include the city, distance from the city centre, proximity to public transport, distance to access roads, and nearby event locations.
You are in control of your car park
You decide how many and at what times you make parking spaces available. You also set the parking fees. With Toogethr Parking, you can unlock your car park during low occupancy periods. You can indicate availability in the dashboard, which is linked to our partner EasyPark. The available spots are offered to their millions of registered users via the EasyPark app.
The parking user's personal details are known
Every parker is a registered user, so we always know who is parking. The licence plate number is known in advance and is registered upon arrival and departure. This ensures we have the personal data of the parker and their licence plate number. You don’t have to worry about anything. Simply make your parking spaces available and set a fee.
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