With deluxe vehicles available for hire, car-sharing programs are becoming the mode of transport du jour.
In the new economy, convenience is king (just ask celebrities like Lorde who choose services like Uber to get around). However, when it comes to trying to live car-free, Vancouver still has a long way to go. Trying to cut down on parking, insurance, and the other headaches of ownership leaves us with mostly traditional options like taxicabs and public transit—but that’s changing.
Car-sharing programs like car2go, Modo, and EVO Car Share are all making it a bit easier for Vancouverites to flit to and from the downtown core or up into the mountains. Mostly based around small, efficient city cars, the services have weathered their infancy and are now beginning to branch out.
Car2go, perhaps the best-known car-sharing firm in town, previously only used the Smart Fortwo minicar in their fleet. While that nippy-but-impractical machine remains the backbone of the service, the company has just announced the introduction of Mercedes-Benz CLA sedans and GLA crossovers to the fleet. Users will no doubt appreciate the upgrade.
Meanwhile, as we wait for ride-sharing giant Uber to disrupt the things the way they've done in Toronto, a locally-based startup is offering a cut above the usual taxicab. Ripe Rides offers digitally-hailed service in full-size Cadillac sedans, far less expensive than hiring a limousine at an hourly rate, and only a little costlier than a cab.
Whether you’re driving downtown for a meeting, or just looking for a ride home after dinner and drinks, there’s an app for that. Living car-free was never more convenient (or posh).
