City drives awareness of car-share pilot program to reduce community emissions

This summer, the City entered into an agreement with Communauto, a subscription car-sharing service, for a pilot program to offer more flexible transportation options while reducing overall community emissions.

Increased choice and availability

With the expanded pilot project, cars are conveniently located at 10 stations with even more to roll out through 2026, creating easier access for more neighbourhoods. There are currently 17 active vehicles with three more slated to arrive by the end of the month

The municipal locations now include:

• Rideau Heights Community Centre, 85 Maccauley St.
• Anglin Lot, 1 Bay St.
• Kingston Memorial Centre, 303 York St.
• Springer Memorial Lot, 140 Queen St.
• Pittsburgh Branch – Kingston Frontenac Public Library, 80 Gore Rd.

The car-sharing model allows users to book a car for short periods of time, a flexible option for those who only require a car sometimes.

“The expanded car-sharing program offers more choice while helping reduce community transportation emissions,” says Soren Christianson, Project Manager, Climate Leadership. “Car-sharing provides flexibility for those who don’t own a car or typically use other modes of transportation and infrequently need a car. It’s also a great option for households considering downsizing from several cars but who may occasionally need another vehicle.”

Flexible transportation options help to reduce emissions

The increased number of car-share vehicles will help achieve several environmental benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the overall number of personal vehicles in the community and the number of trips taken by car.

Car-sharing can supplement active transportation and use of public transit; the Transit mobile app assists users by showing where available Communauto vehicles are located.

Driving awareness of the pilot project

To create the most impactful pilot program, the City will promote the car-sharing pilot to the public within existing operating budgets. This includes reserving several public parking spaces for Communauto users. City funds, from the Cash-in-Lieu of Parking levies, will be used internally to cover the cost of the reserved public parking spaces; no City funds are being directed to Communauto.

The City is not responsible for operations related to the car-sharing service; please direct questions to Communauto. For more information, including a map of vehicle locations in Kingston, visit the Communauto website.