Local sustainable living advocate Ian Gartshore is a strong believer in the local car-sharing movement. (Modo)

By Ian Holmes

car-sharing

Pandemic sees interest drive up for car-sharing in Nanaimo and elsewhere

Oct 22, 2020 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — While COVID-19 caused bumps in the road for car-sharing cooperative Modo, the transportation alternative appears to be regaining traction.

Modo marketing director Selena McLachlan said their fleet of 700 vehicles in the lower mainland, Nanaimo, Victoria and Kelowna was trimmed by upwards of 300 during the height of the pandemic.

But she said their fleet has returned to pre-pandemic levels, while pointing to rising inquiries as indicators more people are thinking about signing up.

“With COVID we see that the interest in car-sharing is only increasing,” McLachlan said. “Some people had the unfortunate loss of their job and housing continues to be more and more unaffordable.”

She said Nanaimo’s car-sharing fleet stands at seven, with the likelihood of their usual offering of eight vehicles on local roads being available shortly.

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Most Modo vehicles in Nanaimo are stationed in or around the downtown core.

McLachlan said their round-trip car-sharing model has seen Nanaimo membership levels grow slowly but steadily to around 200.

Factors like increased densification and public transit helps persuade more members who also tend to lean on other alternative modes of transportation, McLachlan said.

“We’re hoping that once people become more acquainted with the concept of being able to what we call ‘live more and own less’, that sharing is gong to become something that they’re more interested in doing.”

McLachlan referenced BCAA data showing the average British Columbian pays $9,500 annually to own and operate a car, compared to a typical Modo member’s annual bill in the $600 to $700 range.

Car-sharing began in Nanaimo 20-years ago under a locally formed cooperative prior to being absorbed by Modo in 2017.

Longtime local car-sharing client Ian Gartshore said Modo provides “a really good service” in Nanaimo, which has improved with the addition of a pickup truck.

The south Nanaimo resident said Modo is a perfect fit for him, noting he only occasionally drives a car on top of riding his e-bike, public transit, or walking.

“In that way it’s a tremendous benefit because I pay an average of less than $150 a month for the use of the car and that’s what people pay for insurance alone without maintenance, gas, depreciations and all that kinds of stuff.”

Gartshore said in addition to saving money he’s investing in his health and easing up on the environment at the same time.

“The more we walk, cycle and take transit the healthier we all are,” Gartshore said.

Modo is offering $50 in free drive time when you join with the promo code NANAIMOSHARES at www.modo.coop

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes