By Ian Holmes

Popularity of car-sharing in Nanaimo growing as cost of living rises

Apr 18, 2018 | 5:04 PM

NANAIMO — The often staggering cost of vehicle ownership is being highlighted by backers of the growing ride-sharing cooperative movement.

Modo added 22 members, bringing their total in Nanaimo to 120, after they absorbed fellow member-owned Nanaimo CarShare co-op one year ago, according to Selena McLachlan, Modo’s director of communications and business development.

She said BCAA data showed the average Honda Civic owner in British Columbia shells out $9,500 annually to operate and maintain their car.

“Our members on average spend about $600 a year with Modo, they augment their transportation with bicycles and public transportation and have all of their driving needs met without the cost and the hassle of car ownership.”

McLachlan said housing costs are a paramount factor for their 20,000 members in Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo. Vehicles can be used by Modo members based in each of those communities.

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“Being able to reduce what for most people is their second most expenditure is huge,” McLachlan said. “It allows them to free up a lot of money that can be reallocated to housing.”

McLachlan said Modo contributes to a healthier mobility ecosystem since every Modo vehicle takes 13 private vehicles off our roads.

There are four Modo vehicles in Nanaimo, primarily in the downtown area, while a fifth will be added shortly, McLachlan said.

Financial savings was a primary draw to the car-sharing model for Ian Gartshore when it launched in Nanaimo in 2000.

He was one of the founding members.

“When I decided to buy a house I said ‘I can buy a house or I can buy a car.’ I bought the house 17-years-ago, it’s now worth three times as much. If I bought the car it would be worth nothing,” Gartshore told NanaimoNewNOW.

He understands Nanaimo is a car-dependent community, but said it can make sense for people who can get by with alternate sources of transportation.

“It might be values of wanting to save money, of having better health, living their life better to the end, things like that I think really appeal.”

John Peirce and his wife, who live on Gabriola Island, both own vehicles, but are also Modo members.

“I don’t understand why half of Gabriola Island isn’t on it,” Peirce said, pointing out the co-op is “extremely convenient” for certain trips in Nanaimo and Vancouver.

“If I use my vehicle then I’m stuck with long wait times at the ferry terminals, if I just have a doctor appointment or a couple of errands that don’t require carrying lots of stuff, then I take Modo.”

Modo memberships include the cost of gas, insurance, maintenance and Lower Mainland bridge tolls.

More information on Modo can be found on their website by clicking here.

Ian@NanaimoNewsNow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes