Drivers divided on sharing spots with car-share vehicles
It gives for-profits unfair advantage over other drivers, critics say
Parking spaces are precious, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be shared with carshare vehicles.
That fairly reflects the range of reader opinion after our recent columns about Communauto Flex vehicles adding pressure to an already tight parking situation in Bloor West Village.
A city pilot project allows carshare firms to purchase permits for on-street parking — at about five times the cost of a residential permit — so that users can pick up or drop off a car as close to their home as possible. But Communauto vehicles brewed resentment among residents who compete for parking with people who are drawn to the upscale shops and eateries on Bloor St. W. and park on side streets.
Almost everything we write prompts some readers to call us an idiot and say our subject matter is stupid. But this debate was more civil and thoughtful, perhaps a reflection on people who’d rather share a car than own one.
“I think there is too much difficulty finding parking in some areas, but I don’t think carsharing is the problem,” said Kevin Herron, adding the city should charge everyone more for on-street parking.
Andrew Young emailed to say “I love the (car-sharing) program,” so he went online to look up the availability of Communauto cars in Bloor West Village and found only three parked in the entire area.
“I would guess there is never more than three to five in that area at any time,” he said, and that “surely there are bigger problems to fix.”
Steve D’Sousa noted that in his upper Beach neighbourhood, “some of their vehicles take up two street parking spaces. It’s a source of frustration that not only is another vehicle competing for space, it takes up a second space due to careless parking.”
“Why should profit-making car rental companies get free parking?” Oliver Bertin asked. “Pretty soon, Hertz, Avis, National and Enterprise will all be parking on our streets, taking spots from permanent residents.”
“Since the Fixer and residents have brought attention to the issue, it appears the rules are now being followed more closely than they were in the first few months the program was in place,” said Joe Fox, who first complained to us about it.
“I want to come down on the side for car-share initiatives,” said Larry Westwood, adding it would be better for everyone if the city was more diligent about enforcing parking rules. Maybe, but we’ve gotten enough tickets to think they’re already pretty darn efficient. What’s broken in your neighbourhood? Wherever you are in Greater Toronto, we want to know.