Victoria Car-Share

After years of heming and hawing about trading in my Hawaii driver’s license, I finally sidled into ICBC, waited in the shortest DMV line I’ve ever been in and came out with a yellow sheet of paper saying I was a valid BC driver.

Great! Except I don’t have a car— or really any good reason to buy one. I live close enough to bike or walk to work, Victoria has an excellent public transit system, and most importantly, I have friends with cars.

For the last five years, living in Victoria sans car worked perfectly— that is until IT hit: the desire to go beyond the bus route.

To rent or co-op?

In March, the British Columbia Institute of Cooperative Studies (BCICS) at UVic organized a conference on co-operative models. It was here that I learned about the (and not to be biased or anything) amazing, Victoria Car-Share. This model, adopted across north america, is a way for infrequent drivers to save money, save the environment, and still get to those out of the way places when the desire hits. For my first, “oh shucks neither of us who want to go to the middle of nowhere old growth forest camping have a car,” trip I was daunted by the idea of investing $400 (fully refundable when you leave the co-op) and decided I’d go with the one time rent a car.

Clearly not my brightest moment.

Renting seemed like a good idea (don’t ask why) until I actually went to pick up the car and found out that due to my age (under 25), I had to pay a per diem premium. The total to rent a car for just 3 days exceeded the initial (and let me remind you again, refundable) investment I would’ve had to make had I just joined to car co-op. Plus I had to pay for the gas— it was a hunking $100 tank.

Was I ever kicking myself.

The CFL bulb finally lit up

For the subsequent camping trip with my fellow carless companion, I wisened up. I called the car co-op on a Tuesday and had an appointment for an orientation session that Thursday. I could and did book a car by Friday.

I booked the car for a three day trip to Sombrio (the same amount of time for the car rental to Carmanah Valley). What was the cost? 202.83. This includes the time for the car and the milage (Sombrio wracks up quite the milage). A couple weeks later I rented it for a two hour move and spent a few cents over $10 for the use of the car. While it’s priceless to be able to lend a hand to a move, it’s even better when there’s next to no price at all!

The good news:

At the end of the day I don’t have to worry about paying for insurance or car maintenance. I just book a car, hop in, and drive away.

The even better news:

With 18 different cars throughout Victoria, there is probably one or more within walking distance from your home or work. There are three vehicles within a 5-10 minute walk from me.

The great news:

You’re building community by engaging in a socially responsible co-operative model with other people from your vicinity.

The how can it possibly get any better news:

If you’re thinking about heading to Vancouver, Nelson, Kaslo, or Revelstoke and you need a car— well, with your Victoria Car-Share membership, you can also car-share with the coops in these areas. I might just go to Revelstoke-- just for the heck of it. Anyone know what's there? (Just kidding).

To sum it up:

Thanks to the Victoria Car-Share, this marmot is a much happier camper.

How bout you?

Have you had an experience with a co-op recently? Opinions on the co-op model? How about you Americans down south? Any opinions on medical co-ops? These marmots would like to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading! Happy greening!