Calgary launches new car-sharing service
Posted Aug 27, 2020 12:13 pm.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It’s official! A new car-sharing serving is launching in Calgary.
Communauto FLEX announced it will drive into the city, taking the place of Car2Go which ended its service last October.
“I know Calgarians have been looking forward to the return of a car share service,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Communauto FLEX will provide an affordable and convenient option, strengthening Calgary’s transportation network so individuals and families can get where they need to go.”
Communauto will introduce a fleet of 150 cars in an area covering 26 square kilometres from 50 Ave. SW to 21 Ave. NW and from 27 St. SW to 17 St. SE.
WATCH: Car2Go rolling out of North America
The launch of the new service was made possible after City Council revised its Car Share Parking Policies and Traffic Bylaw earlier this year.
“A new three-tiered pricing structure was implemented for operators who want to offer one-way carshare trips,” said Senior Transportation Engineer, Eric MacNaughton. “This offers predictability and flexibility for carshare companies due to their unique operating model.”
There is no monthly fee for Communauto but costs run from $0.45 per minute, $15 per hour to $50 for one day and $35 the following days.
A new carsharing service is driving into our city: @Communauto_YYC.
They will have an initial fleet of 150 cars. The launch was made possible by City Council’s approval of the revised Carshare Parking Policies & Bylaw earlier this year.
Learn more: https://t.co/Uh1A6InpNX pic.twitter.com/UPEjLy5t94
— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) August 27, 2020
“Communauto aims to offer a real alternative to car ownership in complement to transit and active mobility,” said founder and CEO Benoit Robert.
“That is why we propose a tariffication (sic) adapted as well to small errands, going for grocery as for weekends or vacations. In Calgary we wish to grow a local mobility service, as we did since more than 25 years in many other communities in Canada.”
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The service is available in several cities in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
Preregistration is already available and the company expects the service to start in September.
Communauto said it will have enhanced health measures in place including having hand sanitizer in the cars, the obligation to wash hands before and after using and disinfecting the cars on a weekly basis.
