Communauto fleet expansion, flexible service to Lachine

Car-sharing service Communauto announced a major expansion in Montreal on Monday, adding more than 1,100 vehicles to its fleet and bringing the flexible service to the Lachine district.

The flexible model allows drivers to pick up vehicles anywhere in Communauto's service area.

The service will also add additional stations to Dorval, Cartierville, Montreal Nord, Riviere des Prairies and Bois-Franc.

Communato president Benoit Robert said 14 percent of Montreal households use Communato. It now operates in 17 arrondissements, as well as Laval and Longueuil, and continues to expand.

“Often we start with a smaller area in the area where we want to break the ice, and it continues with the expansion of the area. We did the same in Bois-Franc in Cartierville. Communato develops step by step. Because it is not useful to be in an area where there is no demand,” said Robert.

Communauto aims to add 900 station-based vehicles by summer and 200 flexible vehicles, including minibuses, by autumn.

The new vehicles will add to the company's 4,800-vehicle fleet in the Montreal area.

“I'm looking forward to the day when I'm talking about 10,000 or even 20,000 cars,” said Robert.