Partnership provides much-needed discount on car sharing for GBC alumni
PHOTO: BRITTANY BARBER/THE DIALOG
Insurance, maintenance, gas prices. These are only three of the reasons why many Torontonians do not own a car.
Not having a car makes getting around much more difficult because Toronto is a city that prioritizes cars over other forms of transportation.
Despite many promises by politicians, existing bike lanes only cover a fraction of the city’s streets. The streetcars and buses that are run by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) do not have separate lanes, something which is a common practice in other Canadian cities like Montreal.
Anyone who attempts to navigate the city by relying on the subway can testify that the four TTC subway lines leave the city’s infrastructure woefully underdeveloped.
The way that services are located in the city also shows how much cars are needed to get around.
The global financial crisis has left many people unable to afford this form of transportation. This is where car-sharing services have stepped in to serve as a solution to this transportation issue.
George Brown alumni are fortunate because not only do car-sharing services exist in Toronto, but the college has entered into a partnership with one of them for their benefit.
The car-sharing service AutoShare allows alumni to join at a reduced cost of $29. For college alumni, AutoShare has even made their first year of membership free; people get a $45 plan free credit which covers the entire cost of AutoShare’s “simple plan” car-sharing service or, if people wish to upgrade, this credit can be applied towards any of AutoShare’s other plans.
Within two days of their application, people will know if they have been accepted or if they need to continue to rely on the infuriating TTC.
Once their acceptance is confirmed, they can pick up a quick start package and begin to enjoy the benefits of having access to 135 car-sharing locations in Toronto, right away, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.
The cost of these trips will be added to their monthly credit card statement.
Because of all of these features relating to affordability, practicality and convenience, it is little wonder that post-secondary institutions are partnering up with car sharing services.
Although the legality of these arrangements may be a contested topic in some countries, Torontonians should be happy that car-sharing is an option in terms of navigating our sprawling city, easily, while still minimizing their carbon footprint.
