A global leader in the car-sharing business has arrived in Greater Victoria.
Zipcar has entered the capital region’s market with a dozen cars, expecting to reach 22 by the end of summer, said Mark Pribula, the company’s general manager from Vancouver.
Its arrival adds to car-sharing choices in Greater Victoria.
The existing Victoria Car Share Co-Operative, with about 20 vehicles and about 800 members, is now operating as Modo, also a co-operative venture. The services merged this year.
Modo and Zipcar each operate in Greater Victoria as two-way systems, which means a driver using a vehicle returns it to the same location once finished with it.
Zipcar locations include the University of Victoria, Fisgard Street, James Bay, McKenzie Avenue near Quadra Street, and Begbie Street. “As we grow, we will continue to put them in more places as people need them,” Pribula said.
Owned by the New Jersey-based Avis Budget Group, Zipcar has almost one million members, between 10,000 and 11,000 cars in service, and operates in about 400 cities, he said.
“We are the world’s largest car-sharing company.”
A third car-sharing service was given the option to operate by the City of Victoria, but hasn’t set up here yet. In April, Victoria decided to permit car2go, part of the Daimler automotive firm, to operate under a $2,000 per year, per car fee that would allow vehicles to be parking at metered stalls.
Zipcar’s annual membership rates run from $7 per month or $70 per year. Hourly costs start at $7.75 per hour up to about $12.50 per hour, Pribula said. UVic students can join for $25 per year.
Members use a plastic card to unlock the car. Options include sedans, cargo vans and SUVs.
Cars can be used by the hour or day and include gas, insurance, and up to 200 kilometres per 24-hour reservation, Pribula said.
Zipcar members can use vehicles throughout the company’s global system.
Bookings can be made online or by phone.
Modo features include gas and parking. It has a member-ownership option with a $500 refundable share purchase, a $20 registration fee and a $4 per hour rate.
Monthly Modo members pay $5 per month, a $20 registration fee, $8 per hour, and receive 200 kilometres.
Car-sharing contributes to a green and sustainable community, Pribula said.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said, “the entry of Zipcar into the Victoria market sends a really important signal … that car-sharing is working. It has been working for many years. It also sends a message that Victorians are fully immersed in 21st-century living where we don’t need to own everything. We can share.”
