Nanaimo CarShare Coop has puts its first business member behind the wheel!

20 Jan 2012

BUSINESS BECOMES FIRST IN CITY TO USE CARSHARING

Nanaimo CarShare Cooperative has puts its first business member behind the wheel.

The non-profit association, whose members share the use of a 2009 Nissan Versa hatchback, signed up downtown business PBA Engineering after PBA office manager David Moss recognized how carsharing will benefit business operations.

Kurt Fischer, a member of CarShare's board, encourages other businesses and employers to start capitalizing on the benefits the co-op offers.

"For many trips, carsharing costs less than reimbursing employees," he says.

Firms joining the co-op have one monthly invoice to process – a cheque made out to Nanaimo CarShare -- instead of a travel reimbursement cheque to each employee.

And fleet owners can use carsharing to meet peak demand and cut costs.

"Staff enjoy clean, comfortable Nanaimo Carshare vehicles for business trips, " Fischer says.  "Employees can choose to leave their cars at home and commute by transit, on foot, by bike, or by carpool, so no more parking fees. And less commuting by car means cleaner air and safer streets."

Nanaimo CarShare, a volunteer-run co-operative with a community-oriented mission, parks its car at the south end of Port Place Mall downtown. A second vehicle will soon be on the streets in a location convenient to downtown Nanaimo.

"Our members are enjoying freedom from the huge fixed expense and hassles of car ownership, yet have easy access to a car when they want one."

Members make easy, self-service bookings for trips as short as an hour or as long as a day. They pay usage fees based on the hours reserved and kilometres travelled. The co-op pays for insurance, maintenance, repairs, BCAA roadside assistance, and gas.

Each member gets a monthly invoice itemizing each trip.

"If members don’t drive during a month, their cost is $0."

For more information, go to nanaimocarshare.ca, phone 250-741-4141, or email NanaimoCarShareInfo@GMail.com

EDITORS

David Moss has agreed to make himself available for interviews; he can be contacted at his office at 65 Front Street, 250-741-1000, DMoss@pbaeng.com

Kurt Fischer, of the Nanaimo CarShare Cooperative, is available for interviews; he can be contacted at 250-741-4141, or NanaimoCarShareInfo@GMail.com

Category: Business