There are many upsides to living on Vancouver Island—beautiful scenery, plenty of outdoor activities, and access to cities without the hustle and bustle of living in a metropolis. But there are times when it is necessary to leave our beloved rock, and when travelling to Vancouver, a discussion often revolves around whether or not to bring a vehicle.
BC Ferries now charges an additional $49.25 each way to drive aboard, and that coupled with parking fees and an extra tank of gas can turn your weekend getaway into a penny-pinching voyage.
Car2Go offers a unique transportation option: upon arriving in Vancouver, locate one of the 200 smart cars stationed around the city and use it for as long as you need. If you plan on an entire day of shopping, for example, the maximum fee will be $65.99. For shorter trips just to get from A-to-B, drivers will be charged the $0.35 per-minute rate. A one-time membership fee of $35 is also required.
Unlike conventional car rental agencies, Car2Go covers your fuel bill and many parking fees around Vancouver. While customers are required to have three-years driving experience, those with an N license are accepted. The vehicles are equipped with GPS navigation systems, roadside assistance, and both automatic and manual shifting.
Drivers can reserve a car up to 24 hours in advance or can locate one on-demand using Car2Go’s iPhone app or by calling the customer service centre. Cars are stationed inside the “home area” and in designated parking stations around Vancouver, which encompasses the downtown area, UBC, and Coal Harbour. Drivers can leave the vehicle anywhere in this area when their trip is complete.
Car2Go is not suitable for long trips, as an additional $0.45/km surcharge kicks in after 200 km. The vehicles can only be driven in B.C., so trips south-of-the-boarder are out of the question. Also, the smart TwoFour cars have a two-erson capacity. To register, visit <www.car2go.com.>
