Jun 25

Jun 25 Can I really park a GIG car anywhere? Here's how to avoid a ticket

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The little black electric cars owned by GIG Car Share have been a big hit in Sacramento since they arrived this spring. With GIG’s app you can reserve and use a car as easily as you would a JUMP Bike, making the service a convenient, eco-friendly transportation option.

But what are the rules for parking a GIG Car? GIG Cars “float,” meaning when you have reached your destination you leave the car and it becomes available to other users (again, like a JUMP Bike). Can you just leave it anywhere? How do parking restrictions apply?

According to GIG’s website : “The general rule is, if the parking sign is green for one hour or more, you're in the clear. If it's red, you can't park there.”

GIG cars can be parked in zones with restrictions — such as 15-minute spots — but only if you comply with the restrictions.

It’s important to know the specifics, for if a GIG car receives a parking ticket, GIG will pass on the fine to the responsible user. Here’s how to avoid tickets.

Acceptable parking areas:

Metered parking spots. If the metered parking spot is in a one hour or longer parking area, the GIG Car can be left there indefinitely at no cost to the user — the meter does not have to be fed. (15 or 30 minute parking areas are fair game too, but only for temporary parking — you must move your GIG car before the time limit, and you must feed the meter if there is one. Only park in 15 or 30 minute parking areas if your GIG car is on hold.)
One hour or longer residential permitted zones marked with a green sign.
One hour or longer parking spot with no special restrictions in effect.

Unacceptable parking areas:

Restricted zones (i.e., loading, handicapped, events, parking lots, private spaces).
Residential permitted zones with red signs.
Zones with red, yellow or blue curbs.
Zones with signs for City Services or other such restrictions; no parking during the 12 hours prior to the restrictions either. In other words, if a certain parking zone is “No Parking” on Tuesdays because of street cleaning, do not park on that street on Monday night.

If you are ever unsure about a parking spot, call GIG’s member support line at (800) 464-0889 to speak to a representative.