We are 'car-free' (except for the CarShare, of course)! We have two children and have been 'car-free' for over ten years now. We're living proof that it's possible, and that it doesn't keep us housebound (and I don't have to shovel my driveway if I don't feel like it)."

Nathalie, a member of Grand River CarShare

Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare are...

1. Affordable: You pay only when you drive.
2. Convenient locations and reservations: Cars are centrally located. Reserving is as simple as a phone call or online reservation, available 24 hours a day.
3. Hassle-free: Members do not need to worry about the often hidden and unexpected costs of maintaining a car.
4. Clean: Car sharing has proven to reduce auto emissions by over 50% per member.
5. Community-building: Members respect each other.
6. Innovative and Fair: The co-operative structure encourages inclusion and democracy.
7. Family Accessible: Each car is equipped with child seat anchors and many have their own child restraint (car seat).

1. Affordable

Car sharing is an affordable answer for people who do not need a car every day, for households wanting to downsize (i.e. from two cars to one car), for those who cannot afford to own a car, and for businesses and organizations wanting to downsize or augment their fleet.

Cars are often the most expensive commodity that people buy, considering how quickly they depreciate in value.

When individuals with low or fixed incomes are unable to own a car, they are often severely limited in their mobility and their ability to do ordinary errands. We live in a car culture where the unhealthy design of modern cities assumes universal car ownership.

People without cars living in suburbs are often unable to go to events far from their home if it does not conform to bus schedules. Similarly, a shopping trip for a household item may become impossible if the item is too large to carry on public transit or if the shopping requires visiting different parts of the city. In both cases, people who live on a low-income and have car co-operative memberships can better provide for their basic needs.

(Consider this: When you want a glass of milk, do you buy the cow? When you want to drive, why buy the car?)

2. Convenient Locations and Reservations

All of our cars are parked in convenient locations close to a main bus line. Members book the car located in their neighbourhood (or the one closest to them).

The booking line is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and members with internet access can make their own reservations. Members can reserve a car to use right away or plan far in advance for their trips.

In addition, the Co-op has preferential corporate rates for Enterprise car rental, should a Grand River CarShare or Hamilton CarShare vehicle not be available when you need one.

3. Hassle-free: No bills for gas, repairs, or insurance

Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare take care of the maintenance, repairs and cleaning of the cars. We also have full insurance and road side assistance coverage. No more worrying about interpreting car mechanic language or shopping around for the best deal on car insurance: reserve the car with a simple phone call or online reservations, walk a few blocks, and drive a clean, well-maintained vehicle every time.

4. A Cleaner Environment

Car sharing is part of the solution for a healthier environment for two main reasons.

In the long run, it reduces the number of cars in circulation, thus reducing the pollution caused by car production, excessive use, deterioration, and discarded waste. Emissions from motor vehicles are one of the largest causes of air pollution. Waterloo Region and Hamilton have had some of the highest-ever smog levels in recent years.

Also, when people "share" cars instead of owning their own, they get around using a combination of modes of transportation instead of relying solely on a car. Without a car in the driveway, short trips are taken on foot, by bike, or on public transportation. This is healthier for the individuals involved and the environment.

A point of interest: The Co-op helps individuals recognize the impact of their transportation choices by altering the way we account for car-related costs. For example, when an individual owns a car, she has a number of fixed costs that do not vary according to her use: purchase price, license fees, insurance, normal repairs, etc. Thus the daily use of a car may seem cheaper than public transportation because the cost of gas and parking combined adds up to less than a return bus trip. However, when ownership of cars is shared in a car co-operative, all costs are recouped through time and distance usage fees.

Thus not only does car sharing reduce the number of cars on the road by having several people share one car, but it encourages, through full-cost accounting, people to consider other, less environmentally damaging, alternatives.

5. A More Caring, Respectful Community

Car sharing encourages community members to respect and support each other. It encourages respect because members must ensure vehicles are kept clean and returned on time so as not to inconvenience other members. In addition, our Board and general meetings operate by consensus, a decision-making process that considers every opinion. Consensus decision-making requires more active listening by each person involved, and is a model for a more respectful, inclusive society.

6. A More Diverse, Innovative Economy

As a co-operative, we are a model of a more inclusive and democratic economy. In a co-operative, each member gets only one vote, no matter what size her investment is. A co-op usually relies on a broad number of sources to raise its capital, the primary source being its members. Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare are services of a not-for-profit co-operative which is not only providing a valuable community service, but which reinvests any surpluses back into the business and keeps local dollars circulating within the city, stimulating the local economy to create jobs and reinvestment.

7. Family Accessible

For the convenience of members who need to transport small children, each car is equipped with a child restraint. Individual members are responsible for the proper use of these seats.

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