Toronto City Council Approves on-street parking spaces for Car Sharing in new
Sustainable Transportation initiative

TORONTO , Oct. 1 /CNW/ - Toronto's City Council announced last night approved reserved on-street parking spaces for use by car share vehicles as part of a new sustainable transportation pilot program. AutoShare, Toronto's award-winning car sharing service, will participate in the 1 year program by stationing self-serve cars on streets in the downtown and North York city centre. (Streets in the program include: Emily St, Jordan St, Ed Mirvish Way, Gould Street and Mutual Street.)

"The City of Toronto has been supporting car sharing for 11 years," explains Kevin McLaughlin, president and founder of AutoShare, "and this project is another example of their willingness to show leadership in sustainable transportation and carbon reduction. I think that it is very fitting that funding for Transit City was also passed at the meeting yesterday; the beginning of our 21st century transportation system!"

AutoShare has been providing GTA residents with a smart alternative to owning a car since 1998. With over 20,000 users in the city, saving money AND reducing their average C02 output by as much as 1 tonne per year, car sharing has entered the mainstream of Toronto's transportation mix.

"Combined with their other initiatives to help people kick the car habit - like reduced parking requirements at new condos with AutoShare onsite - Toronto is once again at the forefront of urban transportation," adds McLaughlin. "While we have been reading about - and waiting for - the car of the future for over half a century, it's clear that in Toronto the car of the future will be shared."

Car sharing has proven to benefit cities and their residents: reducing vehicle use and related pollution; encouraging members to bike, walk and take public transit more; and saving $1,000 's per year for people who don't need to own, insure, park and repair a car.

About AutoShare

Launched in 1998, AutoShare is Toronto's favourite car sharing service, providing over 10,000 individuals, families and business members with the convenience of renting cars and vans by the hour from over 120 locations across the city. Locally owned and managed, AutoShare has the greenest rental fleet in the city, including almost 10% hybrids and Toronto's first and only plug-in vehicle. AutoShare is a winner of the Green Toronto Award.

For further information: Kevin McLaughlin, President, AutoShare, [phone], [email protected]