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Press Release Quebec

Communauto surpasses the milestone of 60 vehicles in Gatineau: more carsharing to simplify mobility for residents

Gatineau, November 14, 2024Communauto, in collaboration with the City of Gatineau and the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO), reaches an important turning point in the development of sustainable mobility, with the addition of 12 new carshare vehicles. With this expansion, there are now 61 cars available across the region, distributed among 44 stations, meeting the growing demand from residents for practical and sustainable transportation alternatives. The Cégep de l’Outaouais and the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) are joining this partnership by providing parking spaces for shared cars. 

An impactful partnership and new strategic locations 

Seven new stations in different neighbourhoods will enhance the existing network: 

  • Centre communautaire des Hautes-Plaines (1 vehicle) 
  • Woods Park (1 vehicle) 
  • Parc-o-bus des Allumettières (1 vehicle) 
  • Parc-o-bus Rivermead (2 vehicles) 
  • Cégep de l’Outaouais, campus Gabrielle-Roy (1 vehicle) 
  • Centre d’exposition L’Imagier (1 vehicle) 
  • Secteur Le Plateau (1 vehicle – coming soon) 

Furthermore, four stations already in operation are increasing their capacity with the addition of extra spots: 

  • Eddy et Hôtel-de-Ville  
  • Théâtre de L’Ile 
  • Centre communautaire Tétreau 
  • Taché et l’Université (UQO) 

A significant step for urban mobility and local development. 

This expansion enhances the convenience and flexibility of travel for residents. 

“Thanks to the support of the City of Gatineau and the STO, the addition of 12 new vehicles is another step towards smoother, more sustainable, and more accessible urban mobility for all Gatineau residents. The existing stations, which are receiving additional vehicles, are in high-density areas. The new sites help serve neighbourhoods that were previously under-served, thereby expanding access to this mode of transportation”, emphasizes Marco Viviani, Vice President, Strategic Development at Communauto

“We are proud to announce the addition of a Communauto service point at Cégep de l’Outaouais, an initiative that aligns perfectly with the objectives of our Plan d’action pluriannuel d’écologisation du Cégep de l’Outaouais (PAPECO). This project supports our commitment to promoting sustainable mobility, reducing the carbon footprint of our community, and providing accessible and practical transportation solutions. By facilitating access to shared vehicles, we offer a sustainable and cost-effective alternative that meets the needs of the community while contributing to a greener and more responsible future,” said Steve Brabant, Executive Director. 

An enhanced commitment to sustainable mobility

The expansion of the service in Gatineau is part of a broader strategy to promote alternatives to individual car use, complementing public transportation and cycling initiatives. By supporting carsharing, a service already popular with many Gatineau residents, the City of Gatineau and the STO are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing a practical and cost-effective option for daily and occasional travel.

“The City of Gatineau is proud to partner with Communauto for the arrival of new cars in various areas of the city. This partnership helps reduce our ecological footprint and improve the quality of our living environments. It is part of our commitment to sustainable mobility: by offering even more accessible carsharing options, we are making daily travel more sustainable and affordable for residents,” said Catherine Craig-St-Louis, President of the Commission sur les transports, les déplacements durables et la sécurité. 

“The STO is proud to add parking spaces in its parc-o-bus lots as part of its partnership with Communauto,” added Jocelyn Blondin, President of the Société de transport de l’Outaouais.

About Communauto

Founded in Quebec City in 1994, Communauto is the largest carsharing service in Canada and the oldest in North America. Present on two continents and in 19 cities, including Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, and Paris, it offers round-trip and free-floating one-way services. With nearly 7,000 cars in its fleet, Communauto has the largest fleet of shared electric vehicles in Canada and one of the largest in North America. As a company with social, environmental, and urban objectives, its mission is to reduce the impact of cars on cities while improving access to mobility by offering an alternative to private car ownership. 

To learn more about carsharing in Gatineau, visit gatineau.communauto.com

Press contact:

Communauto 
Charlotte Poirier Stephens
Communication and marketing coordinator 
drp@communauto.ca 

Ville de Gatineau 
Marie-Hélène Rivard 
Communication services director 
819 595-7171 / medias@gatineau.ca  

Société de transport de l’Outaouais 
Yannick Boursier 
Public relations 
819 770-7900 #6450 / yannick.boursier@sto.ca  

Categories
Press Release

The Communauto Car Sharing Service Now Improved in Dorval

Dorval, May 1, 2024 – During the month of May, the Dorval population will be able to benefit from an additional carsharing vehicle, thanks to a partnership between the City and the Communauto car sharing service, the leader in that field in Canada. Indeed, a new car, which will have its parking space at the corner of Dawson and Tulip avenues, will be available for reservation for all citizens of the City, allowing them to have access to a car whenever they need.

“We are very happy to develop this new partnership in Dorval and to have the opportunity to offer our citizens an enhanced way of travelling. Car sharing is an economical and ecological initiative, and we wish to encourage active transportation in all its forms”

Marc Doret, Mayor of the City of Dorval

“This partnership with the City of Dorval offers the opportunity to continue building the foundations of a sharing service in the West Island. We look forward to moving this type of development further along in the future!”

Marco Viviani, Vice-President, strategic development of Communauto

The City of Dorval and Communauto invite those interested to register online at montreal.communauto.com. During the first three months of this partnership, Dorval residents can get a $45 rebate when they register to the Open Plus plan or to one of the Value plans, with promo code DORVAL45, valid for the first year’s subscription, for a first-time subscription. This promotion is valid until July 31, 2024, with respect to certain eligibility criteria.

Communauto in brief

Once registered, you can use Communauto in four easy steps:

  1. Reserve your vehicle via the Communauto app.
  2. Pick up your car in its designated parking space.
  3. Use it and bring it back to the same place.
  4. Only pay for your time of use and the kilometres travelled.
    For more information on how Communauto operates, simply visit montreal.communauto.com.

Source: Annick Charest
Director of Communications and Citizen Relations
City of Dorval
514 633-6233

Categories
Press Release

Doubled number of stations and new financial aid for carsharing in Laval

“ Our government is proud to support the City of Laval, which is implementing various concrete initiatives to support the reduction of GHG emissions in its territory. This subsidy is not only a step in the right direction, but it will also help to encourage the participation of new citizens and the use of this service, as well as promote the deployment of new carsharing stations throughout Laval. ”
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight against climate change, Wildlife and Parks and minister responsible for the Laurentides region

“We are very proud to diversify the mobility options available to the people of Laval. We are offering an efficient and accessible option to reduce solo driving, while taking into account the daily travel realities of Laval residents. Several new stations set up on municipal land will be tested in a pilot project between the City and the company, with the new stations becoming permanent if there is sufficient interest. It is with the aim of offering sustainable and practical alternatives that we also invite people to use the subsidy we have put in place to promote the development of carsharing.”

Christine Poirier, Municipal Councillor for Duvernay-Pont-Viau and in charge of issues related to land use planning

“Thanks to the pilot project of the City and the expansions planned by Communauto in Chomedey and Laval-des-Rapides, the carsharing offering in Laval will immediately double, increasing from 26 to 52 cars distributed across 33 different service points. This initiative, driven by the innovative vision of the City of Laval, marks just the beginning of a development phase for carsharing. It aims to remove an increased number of cars from circulation, reduce their use, while simultaneously offering a wider variety of mobility solutions to the residents of Laval.”  

Marco Viviani, vice president of strategic development, Communauto

Highlights

  • The financial aid program aims to partially reimburse the costs of using a carsharing service. Thus, each citizen of Laval is eligible for a maximum of two $250 subsidies, for a total of $500. Anyone residing in Laval and who has joined a carsharing service after January 1, 2024, can apply. The application form will be available to the public starting May 6, on the city’s website. 
      
  • The expansion of Communauto in Laval involves the addition of 16 additional vehicles distributed across 9 locations, including Laval-des-Rapides and Chomedey.  
  • As part of the pilot project between the City and Communauto, 10 vehicles will be added at 10 locations in the peripheral areas of Laval.
  • Finally, the project funded by the Government of Quebec involves leasing 10 hybrid cars by the City, which will be used by staff during the day and available to the public in the evenings and on weekends.  
  • Until July 31, 2024, the citizens of Laval can get a $45 discount on registration for the Open Plus or any of the Value plans, with the promo code LAVAL45, valid only on the first year of subscription, for any first-time registration to the service, provided all eligibility conditions are met. Laval residents are invited to sign up online now at laval.communauto.com to take advantage of this exclusive offer.   
  • Exo adds to the complementarity of sustainable transport modes by offering parking spaces reserved for Communauto vehicles at the Vimont and Sainte-Rose train stations. Users of the suburban train line 12 – Saint-Jérôme will be able to complete their journey aboard a Communauto.

About Laval climat plan 

The City of Laval has adopted the Climate plan – Horizon 2035 to reduce its GHG emissions by 33% and increase its resilience to climate hazards. The enhancement measures of the carsharing service complement the actions already in place for reducing GHG emissions, such as financial aids for replacing oil heating systems or for promoting bike sharing.

About the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy

This project benefits from financial aid from the Government of Quebec, as part of the measure 4.2.1.2 “Accelerate local climate transition” of the Plan for a Green Economy 2030 (PEV 2030). Let us recall that the 2023-2028 Implementation Plan (PMO) of PEV 2030 aims for all municipalities in Quebec to have assessed their climate risks and to have a climate plan by 2030.

More information about the future stations

List of the 10 planned locations in the peripheral sectors of Laval as part of the pilot project.
Addresses of future stations in the peripheral sectors of Laval as part of the pilot project.   
Usine de filtration Ste-Rose (Water Interpretation Center): 12 Hotte Street, Laval, QC H7L 2R3
Community Center for Youth (Old Ste-Rose): 155 Blvd Je-Me-Souviens, Laval, QC H7L 1V6 
Ste-Rose Station (with exo): 99 Blvd Sainte-Rose E, Laval, QC H7H 1N9
Auteuil Community Center: 6200 Boulevard des Laurentides, Laval, QC H7H 1N5 
Lausanne Park: 324 Lausanne Street, Laval, QC H7K 3V4
Vimont Station (with Exo): 150 Bellerose Blvd W, Laval, QC H7K 3B6
Vimont Sector: location to be confirmed
Raymond-Fortin Community Center: 1885 Dumouchel Ave, Laval, QC H7S 1J7
Sablon Centre: 755 Sablon Road, Laval, QC H7W 4H5
Martin St-Louis Arena: 655 Sylvie Street, Laval, QC H7X 2X2

Additional information:

Learn more about the financial aid offered by the City of Laval.

Consult Laval climate plan.

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Information: 
Marco Viviani,
Vice President, Strategic Development, Communauto,
drp@communauto.ca