One way carsharing: Communauto approves the choices of the City of Montreal
MONTREAL, April 2, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Communauto congratulates the City of Montreal for being open to the implementation of a "self-service reservation" vehicle system and supports the decision of the elected representatives to consult with the transportation operators, the boroughs and the citizens in order to anticipate its impacts and optimize its integration with the existing offer.
Communauto previously announced, in 2011, its interest to complete its current service of "self-service vehicles with reservation" with a system allowing spontaneous access to vehicles without the need to reserve them or to bring them back to their starting point.
"We want to provide Montrealers with a one-way carsharing system (no reservations), but we wish to do so responsibly. This offer must be integrated with public transportation, taxis, bicycles and carsharing "with reservation". Otherwise, it will be detrimental to the shared goal of all stakeholders which is to reduce the number of vehicles on the road", said Mr. Benoît Robert, CEO of Communauto.
One-way carsharing is definitely a way to improve access to car mobility in the city. However, this service harbours the defects of its virtues. Easier access to other transportation alternatives must be combined to this system in order for it to answer to the needs it is not suitable for: large purchases, outings outside the city, vacations, etc. If it fails to do so, citizens will continue to possess and use their personal vehicle for their trips.
If current carsharing with reservation offers, such as those offered by Communauto, have proven that they are able to reduce the number and the use of the car, it is not yet the case for the one-way carsharing systems that have recently been implemented in numerous cities around the world. Thus this service offers interesting research possibilities for Québec universities and ideally the City of Montreal should pay particular attention to this part of the project.
Communauto evaluated that it would be necessary to deploy around 300 vehicles in a one-way carsharing system in Montreal to adequately serve the areas adapted to this type of service. Electric vehicles could be used to enhance the offer in the future.
The decisions that the City of Montreal will take on the access to the necessary parking to allow for the proper functioning of this type of service will determine Communauto's decision to embark or not on this new path.
For more information: www.communauto.com/lsi
About Communauto Communauto, the oldest carsharing service in North America, is a company with an urban, social and environmental mission that serves more than 26,000 users thanks to a fleet of some 1,200 self-service cars, available 24/7, in combination with public transit and active transportation. Communauto vehicles are found in more than 390 stations, located in Montréal, the city of Québec, Gatineau and Sherbrooke.
SOURCE: COMMUNAUTO
Marco Viviani
Director, development and public relations
Communauto inc.
Tél: 514 499-8099 poste 2119
[email protected]
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