- What
are the benefits of carsharing?
- How
does the insurance work?
- What
about my insurance record?
- What
does it cost to join?
- How
do I reserve a car?
- Can
I only reserve a car during regular business hours?
- How
long in advance must I reserve a car?
- Will
the car be available every time I need it?
- How
long am I allowed to have a car? And how often can I have it?
- Can
I take it for longer trips?
- Can
I use a car for work-related tasks?
- Do
I have to go to the office each time that I use a car to pick
up and drop off a key and to pay for the reservation?
- Will
I be responsible for any maintenance?
- How
about gas? Do I have to fill it after every use?
- How
do we keep track of damage?
- Can
baby seats be used in the cars? And what about bike racks?
- What
if I get a ticket or towed?
- What
if car sharing doesn't work for me? How do I get my Membership
Fee back?
- Are
there other carsharing organizations?
1. What are the benefits of carsharing?
For CarShare Members it means low-cost access to a car when you really need one, without being burdened with the debt load of car ownership and the hassle of car maintenance.
For the environment it means you are using a car as a last resort, once other forms of transportation have been considered. This means you will drive less and do so in a well-maintained, fuel-efficient car. This helps to improve air quality and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. Fewer cars on the road also means less stress on green space.
For the community it means we will have fewer cars in our neighbourhoods, less noise from cars, and less congestion. Carsharing is also about fostering more pedestrian-friendly and child-friendly areas in which to live. As well, carsharing addresses social equity issues for those previously not able to have access to a vehicle.
2. How does the insurance work?
Insurance is purchased through the Co-operator's Insurance Group. The Co-op purchases the insurance under a fleet plan, so the organization, not the driver, holds the insurance. In the event of an at-fault accident, the member at fault is responsible for the deductible ($500) just as if she were driving a personally-owned vehicle.
The Co-op’s policy currently requires all drivers of co-op vehicles to be over 21 years of age, have a full ‘G’ driver’s license and a relatively clean driving record over the past 3 years. For a more in-depth explanation of insurance, see page 14 in the Membership Information Booklet.
Please note: some restrictions do apply for drivers 21 and 22 years of age. Contact staff for more info.
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3.
What about my insurance record?
If a member gives up a personal insurance policy when joining the car co-op, in the future, they will be considered to have been continually covered by the co-op's policy for the purposes of determining their new insurance rate. This is an important consideration when a car is given up for a period of time, and means you won’t be treated as a first-time driver, obligated to pay higher rates.
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4.
What does it cost to join?
The Co-op offers two different rate plans, the Classic Plan and the Simple Plan, both with different rate options for joining and for driving. On the Classic Plan, your upfront costs will total $435 (for one driver), and on the Simple Plan, your upfront costs will total $119. For a full breakdown of rates, consult the Membership Rate Plans and Usage Rates document.
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5.
How do I reserve a car?
Simply use our online reservation system on the co-op’s website or call our dedicated 24-hour reservation line. When using our reservation line indicate the date and time you need the car and an operator will be able to tell you immediately if your first choice vehicle is available and, if it is not, when and where other vehicles are available. The car will be reserved for you and you simply go to the car and use it during your reservation time. Both Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare use a common fleet - if your travel arrangements make it convenient, you are welcome to make your reservations in either service area.
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6.
Can I only reserve a car during regular business hours?
Members can reserve vehicles 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, either through the co-op’s online reservation system or by calling the reservation line.
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7.
How long in advance must I reserve a car?
Members can reserve vehicles up to one year in advance, or you can also book spur-of-the-moment. There is no standard or required time frame to arrange for a car. However, the more notice you can provide, the more certain you will be of being able to reserve the car you want when you want it.
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8.
Will the car be available every time I need it?
There may be times that your preferred car is already reserved by another member for the time that you want it. However, if you are able to adapt your lifestyle such that you are able to be a bit more flexible about when you make car trips, this will not inconvenience you. You may need to pick up your groceries using another Co-op vehicle or schedule your trip at 3:00pm instead of at 2:00pm, for example.
The Co-op does a couple of things to help ensure that you have access to a vehicle when you need one. First, the Co-op allows you to book up to a year in advance, so if you know you have a commitment every Thursday from 4-6pm for example, there is no reason not to book yourself in for that time for the next few months. Second, the Co-op has a partnership with a local rental agency giving members access to reduced rates (weekends excluded). Third, the bigger the Co-op grows (i.e. the more vehicle locations we have), the less likely it will be that none of our cars will be available when you need one.
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9.
How long am I allowed to have a car? And how often can I have it?
There are no limitations on the length of time you can use the car, however, the shortest time you can reserve CarShare vehicles for is half an hour (booked on the hour and half-hour). You can use CarShare vehicles much as you need, but remember your cost is directly based on use.
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10.
Can I take it for longer trips?
Yes. We can help you determine if it is more cost effective to use a CarShare vehicle or a standard car rental agency for your trip. For longer trips using a standard car rental agency may be more cost effective.
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11.
Can I use a car for work-related tasks?
Yes, some members will use CarShare vehicles strictly for work-related tasks, in which case the CarShare invoice represents a business expense. Self-employed consultants will find this service a good way to reduce overhead costs. Remember however, that car sharing is not cost effective for everyday commuting, as you pay for every hour that you have a vehicle reserved (11pm to 7am excluded).
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12.
Do I have to go to the office each time that I use a car to pick
up and drop off a key and to pay for the reservation?
No. You will be given a lock box key when you join. This key will allow you to access a lock box located at the vehicle parking spot, which holds the car key.
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13.
Will I be responsible for any maintenance?
That depends on what you've done with the car. If you've made a mess, you'll have to clean it. The Co-op does periodically clean the cars (to vacuum out accumulated dirt and debris, for example) but there may be times when you will want to have the car really clean for your outing. In this case, we suggest you take it through the car wash and expense the cost to the Co-op. As for mechanical maintenance, no you don't need to visit a mechanic ever again! Co-op staff schedule regular maintenance and inspections to ensure the cars are in good working order.
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14.
What about gas? Do I have to fill it after every use?
No. Members are responsible for ensuring the tank is at least a quarter full for the next user. If the gas level goes below a quarter tank, the member fills the tank and submits the receipt to the Co-op to have the cost credited on their next monthly invoice.
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15.
How do we keep track of damage to CarShare vehicles?
Members cross-check each other with a visual inspection before and after using the CarShare vehicles, and record any changes in the trip log book. Notifying us of any changes (e.g. scratches and dents) will alert us to apply a bit of touch up paint and/or schedule a repair.
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16.
Can child seats be used in the cars? And what about bike racks?
We currently have child seats and/or booster seats available in select CarShare vehicles. Please consult the online reservation system to find out which cars have child seats available, or contact CarShare staff. The Co-op has one bike rack available, but is currently not in service (as of Jan. 2010). Please inquire with staff if you would like to have use of a bike rack.
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17.
What if I get a ticket or towed?
Carsharing is about sharing the costs and access to a vehicle. It is not about sharing responsibility for infraction costs. If you get a speeding, parking or other car-related ticket, you'll have to pay for it. If the CarShare vehicle is towed or impounded while it is reserved in your name, you will have to pay for the costs incurred. If you don't inform the Co-op of having received a ticket and the Co-op office receives the notice, you will receive a fine from us in addition to having to pay the cost of the ticket.
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18.
What if carsharing doesn't work for me? How do I get my Membership
Loan back?
Carsharing isn't for everyone. It takes a certain level of flexibility and a commitment to using alternative means to get around. It also provides a significant cost advantage over private car ownership. But if you find for whatever reason that you would like to leave the organization, you merely inform us in writing (mail and/or e-mail) and we will return your member loan. We reserve the right to deduct any unpaid bills to the co-op from the balance of your member loan, and your balance will be returned no more than 90 days after you have returned your key.
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19.
Are there other carsharing organizations?
Yes, there are carsharing organizations throughout Europe and North America. In Toronto, there is AutoShare. In Ottawa there is VrtuCar. In Quebec, Montreal, Gatineau, and Sherbrooke there is Communauto. In B.C. there is the Co-operative Auto Network (CAN) in Vancouver and the Victoria CarShare Co-op. In Guelph there is the Guelph Community Car Co-op, and many others are in the planning stages in other cities. The Co-op is planning cross-use agreements so that members in any of the organizations can have access to cars in other cities. See www.carsharing.net for a complete listing.
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If
there are any questions we haven't answered, or any of the information
presented here is unclear, please let the Co-op know what additional details
you need. |
