Student CarShare rolls onto Toronto campuses

Students under 21 can now access affordable, convenient transportation at the University of Toronto and York University

TORONTO, Dec. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto and GTA students 18 and over no longer need to solely depend on public transit, taxis or rides from their parents to claim their freedom. A reliable alternative transportation solution now exists for safe drivers 18+ without access to a family car or who can't afford $7,000 annually to lease or own their own vehicle. 

Safe drivers 18 or older who need to travel home, grocery shop, run errands, attend events or job interviews can now safely drive themselves with StudentCarShare. Student CarShare (SCS), Canada's first car sharing service geared specifically towards the transportation needs of students 18 and older has arrived at the University of Toronto and York University.

By providing an innovative lifestyle brand that enriches student's lives, Student CarShare is on the leading edge of Canada's shared economy by allowing members 18 or older to rent a fleet of new 2015 Kia vehicles by the hour or day online with gas and insurance included with all reservations.

SCS's arrival in Toronto is the culmination of a highly successful inaugural year that saw this student centric car sharing service established at 36 universities and colleges across Canada, from St. John's, Newfoundland to the University of Victoria. Powered by Discount Car and Truck Rental, SCS and its fleet of new 2015 Kia vehicles, SCS is the only car share company in Canada with a national footprint from coast to coast.

"Student CarShare has experienced unprecedented growth over the past year. Since June, our membership has grown 68 per cent and our monthly revenue has been double the industry norm," says Michael Lende, CEO & Founder, Student CarShare. "We had to expedite our plans for a national roll out to accommodate all of the requests from schools across Canada to bring SCS to their campuses. I attribute this demand to the fact that we are a completely student centric service."

"We are especially excited about being a part of Student CarShare's expansion in the GTA" said Robert Staffieri, Director of Marketing and Communications at Kia Canada Inc. "Students at University of Toronto and York University will be able to experience the inherent benefits of the program and ultimately driving our world-class vehicles."

Students across Canada have quickly discovered SCS provides members with all of the benefits of owning a car without the enormous expense and responsibility that goes with it. Today, SCS has thousands of members and 80 cars servicing 36 campuses and student communities across Canada. Student CarShare is coast to coast and adding new schools and locations every month.  Adding to its growing strength this fall, SCS partnered with Sprott Private Wealth LP to accommodate excited investors who wanted their chance to participate in SCS. 

At the University of Toronto, SCS has five cars parked at 395 Huron street and 163 St George Street. At York University, SCS has five cars parked on Keele campus and one at Glendon College.  Students who want to reserve a car simply visit www.StudentCarShare.ca to become a member and make a reservation online. Vehicles can be booked up to six months in advance or just 15 minutes ahead if a car is available. When it's time to pick up their car, a member simply goes to SCS's easily identified parking spot, unlocks their reserved vehicle using their SCS Smart Card and picks up the keys which are located inside.

Students pay $50 a year to become a member and an additional one-time $25 application fee. They can then rent a car starting at $6 an hour. Every reservation includes free gas, free insurance, free maintenance and free round-the-clock roadside assistance.

Student CarShare takes safety very seriously. It reinforces social responsibility with students through programs such as its "idiots text & drive-don't drive intexticated" campaign and it boasts a financial literacy program.

Although SCS is designed to make students' lives simpler and give them some freedom, it offers benefits to parents too," says Lende. "Parents no longer need to think about buying or leasing their children cars and they no longer have to spend hours on the road to pick up and return their kids to and from school or a train or bus station."

"SCS is also the only car sharing program whose insurer provides members with a certificate of experience so they can build an insurance history in efforts to lower future insurance rates," adds Lende. "Hub International and SCS are helping students build an insurance history – insurance that mom and dad are usually paying for." 

About Student CarShare
Student CarShare (SCS) is the first car sharing service in Canada geared towards the transportation needs of students 18+. SCS is available at 36 university and college campuses across Canada. Offering a hip, affordable and environmentally savvy way to get around, Student CarShare provides members 18+ 24/7 access to a network of Kia vehicles that can be reserved online or toll-free reservation line by the hour or day. Gas, insurance and roadside assistance are included. For more information, visit www.StudentCarShare.ca, Student CarShare on Facebook, and find us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat at @StudentCarShare.

About Kia Canada
Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca – www.facebook.com/kiacanada) a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) which was founded in 1999 and sells and services high quality, class leading vehicles like the Soul, Forte, Optima and Sorento through a network of 187 dealers nationwide. Kia Canada Inc. employs 161 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters and four regional offices across Canada, with an all-new state-of-the-art facility in Montreal. Kia's brand slogan "The Power to Surprise" represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting & inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.

SOURCE: Student CarShare

Media Contacts: Katherine Clark, Forward Communications, [email protected], [phone]