57 replies to this topic

[spanky123]

car ownership has never been easier. that’s the competition.

 

I think that if you live downtown in a large city then there is a good argument against car ownership from an economic standpoint. What is killing car sharing though is Uber/Lyft. For a hop around the City it is more convenient and less expensive than car sharing. I think that Zipcar and Car2Go just see the writing on the wall. 

[gstc84]

Living in a downtown condo, Modo remains way more affordable and desirable than car ownership for me. Just renting out my vacant parking space at my building is more than enough to offset the cost of my monthly Modo membership and driving time (4-5 hours every two weeks, on average). Not even getting into the amount I'm saving on gas, insurance, etc. I can only imagine the savings would be amplified in Vancouver, though I have no frame of reference for costs of using Uber/Lyft.

 

I've still been using Modo during the pandemic, I just bring a few disinfectant wipes with me and wipe down the car at the start and end of my booking.

[Jackerbie]

The "AirBNB of car sharing" has launched in BC. Turo received insurance from ICBC and member vehicles are now available across the province, including several in the Capital Region already. The service allows members to list their vehicles for rent while they are not being used, and markets itself as an alternative to vehicle rental agencies.

 

via https://dailyhive.co...hare-bc-launch 

via https://turo.com/ca/...ada/victoria-bc

[Victoria Watcher]

seems reasonable.

the psychological barrier has always been in the mind of the person loaning a car.

so if they have got past that and are willing to loan seems fine. probably better than loaning your car to a random friend or workmate.

[Victoria Watcher]

What it offers is a smartphone application that gives members access to a shared fleet of low-emission hybrid vehicles. Members pay for the time they use the cars — 41 cents per minute, $14.99 per hour and $89.99 per day — and can pick up and drop off the cars anywhere as long as it is within what the company calls the 20-square kilometre downtown home zone.

 

_________________________

 

Wharf said by contrast Evo Cars, which has operated for six years in Vancouver, has a local team that can relocate cars to optimum areas to suit demand, and knows how to keep them clean and running for a consistent experience.

 

 

“We keep our availability high,” he said.

 

To start, the company has delivered 80 Toyota Prius vehicles to the city and was starting to deploy them Thursday.

 

Wharf said the selling feature is that members never have to worry about gas, insurance and, in most cases, parking cost.

______________________

 

To sign up, members pay a $35 fee — though Wharf said no one should pay it as there are promo offers galore to waive that — and BCAA members can sign up for free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...kend-1.24347519

 

 

 

dropping in 80 cars at once is a pretty strong start.  modo/vic carshare has been around for 15 or 20 years and i don't think they have that many cars.

 

EDIT:  maybe they have around 100:  https://modo.coop/car-map

 

 

the modo fee structure is quite different:  https://modo.coop/ho...ndividual-plans

 

as low as $4/hr but always with a km fee of 28-40 cents per km too.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 31 July 2021 - 05:21 AM.

[m3m]

I saw the cars everywhere today downtown

[Dexter]

So do they park in specific lots or are they taking up street parking?

[Victoria Watcher]

they have prepaid for street meter and parkade parking. and residential zone parking access. the only place they have not paid to park in is 20 minute zones.

presumably they negotiated a bulk rate.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 August 2021 - 05:59 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Pandemic paves way for new B.C. car-share programs — including renting out your vehicle

 

The cost to rent a car in Canada skyrocketed by nearly 32% in 2021. A handful of start-ups are rising up to challenge an old business model — from Tesla-curious car shares to a new way for people to rent out their own vehicle.

 

https://www.timescol...vehicle-5336767

[Mike K.]

Sounds like car share (one company in particular) services are locking motorists out when their vehicle is parked outside of a cell area. This has left motorists stranded. This is happening with some frequency west of Sooke where cell services drop off, and where lots of people from the city take day trips.

[Sparky]

Oh dear, that’s not handy. You mean to say the car is connected to the app on your phone …and if the car can’t read your app…..that’s it… game over?

[Mike K.]

Sounds like it. Oops!

[Victoria Watcher]

Isn’t there a key still in the car? Probably, but nobody bothers with it. Until they realize they need it.

[Mike K.]

I think they can still access the car, just not drive it. At least that’s my understanding.

I was talking to a car driver about this and he says it’s a bit of a problem. A cab ride from Jordan River to the ferry terminal is $250.

[kitty surprise]

Yikes. Evo or Modo? I am literally planning this very same trip and do I need to make alternate plans?

[Sparky]

I would contact the car share provider and ask that very question.

Don’t forget to report back here.

[kitty surprise]

Mike, based on your comments, it sounds like you know this answer. If you're not willing to share publicly can you PM me?

[grantpalin]

This has been an issue in Vancouver and area as well, with the cars being driven out of areas with cell coverage. Or being parked in underground parking where cell signal won't reach.