Car2GO to launch in Calgary

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I'm actually confused about spots where you could get ticketed vs towed.
I know snow routes, no stopping/parking during rush hour is a no no, but not sure about zones which are just 2 hrs 8am-6pm.

2 hr zones are fine. so are permit only zones. It is all outlined on the website.......

[monocle]

Can I park in a residential permit zone? You know, the ones with the jj (or whatevs) in the coloured triangles?

[davee930]

Originally Posted by monocle

Can I park in a residential permit zone? You know, the ones with the jj (or whatevs) in the coloured triangles?

Yes you can.

There are at least 50 car2gos parked in an empty lot beside guenthers and mercedes. Maybe these are all new??

[DizzyEdge]

Alright, here's the final word:

WHERE CAN I PARK MY CAR2GO?

In Calgary, you may end your rental in any of the following locations:

• Any legal on-street parking space within the Home Area, as long as there are no stopping or parking restrictions at any time.

• Designated parking locations within the Home Area (authorized Calgary Parking Authority parkades and surface lots only). See the in-car GPS for locations and parking instructions.

WHAT IS “LEGAL ON-STREET” PARKING?

Parking legally on-street means using public roads that do not have additional signage prohibiting parking (ex: valet, commercial, loading, taxi, and handicapped zones).

WHICH ON-STREET PARKING SPACES CAN I USE?

• Any on-street ParkPlus parking space, as long as there are no stopping or parking restrictions at any time

• Residential permit-only street parking spaces

• Non-restricted residential street parking spaces (spaces with no signs)

• Residential street parking spaces with time limits, as long as there are no stopping or parking restrictions at any time

WHAT IS A STOPPING OR PARKING RESTRICTION?

Spaces with stopping or parking restrictions have signs that state “no parking” or “no stopping” between certain hours of the day (ex: Monday – Friday, 15:30 – 18:00 or Tuesday & Thursday, 1:30 – 7:00).

Many of these spaces are in commuter lanes, such as in the Downtown Core or in the Beltline areas.

Rentals may not be ended in these spaces at any time.

===================================================

I was confused because they sent out an email talking about where you can't park, and they showed a no stopping, a tow-away, and a 2 hr zone all on the same sign pole as an example of "where not to park".

[srperrycgy]

Originally Posted by davee930

There are at least 50 car2gos parked in an empty lot beside guenthers and mercedes. Maybe these are all new??

They must be. I've noticed the number available increasing from about 110 to about 130. Still clustered downtown during the day though.

I'm really enjoying having increased mobility by using Car2Go. For the most part, a car is around when I've needed it. My home and my work are in the Home Area, so I've commuted a few times. Perfect strangers come up to me and ask about Car2Go. I hope this sticks around for a while.

[DizzyEdge]

After 2-3 minutes of idling and 2 mins of driving the mist on the windshield this morning was half removed by the defroster setting. Concerned how long it will take when it's much colder out.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

After 2-3 minutes of idling and 2 mins of driving the mist on the windshield this morning was half removed by the defroster setting. Concerned how long it will take when it's much colder out.

The mist is weird this time of year. It never seems to go away in the morning. You also cant tell if it is on the outside or inside of the windows sometimes....

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by kw5150

The mist is weird this time of year. It never seems to go away in the morning. You also cant tell if it is on the outside or inside of the windows sometimes....

In my case it seemed to be 2/3s outside, 1/3 inside.

[Bigtime]

It's definitely a success here in Calgary, 150 more cars to be added and the home area will be expanded too:

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/389...ket-worldwide/

[DizzyEdge]

Man I hope the expanded 5 sq kms is north of 16th ave.

[Bokimon]

They need to have the car2go parking designated at the LRT park and rides or bus terminals and also at shopping centers. Otherwise this is still sweet and I am lovin it..

[monocle]

Will they ever expand the Home Area to the wrong side of the tracks (AKA Deerfoot)?

How does Calgary's Home Area compare to other markets?
\/"IT'S ON THE WEBSITE, SHEESH!!" Comments go here.\/

[hulkrogan]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Man I hope the expanded 5 sq kms is north of 16th ave.

From what I can gather, indeed, they are bumping it to 24th ave North.

[DizzyEdge]

I think Calgary is a perfect storm of:
- high parking rates in the innercity (free while using a car2go)
- taxi shortages at certain times
- much of the city being quite car-centric
- possibly lack of late night transit (other than LRT)

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by monocle

Will they ever expand the Home Area to the wrong side of the tracks (AKA Deerfoot)?

How does Calgary's Home Area compare to other markets?
\/"IT'S ON THE WEBSITE, SHEESH!!" Comments go here.\/

The main noticeable thing is for Vancouver and Toronto it covers most of the city (maybe 90% of Vancouver proper and 100% of "Old Toronto", ie not Scarborough or Etobicoke). Being that Calgary is a unicity they had to more arbitrarily pick the boundaries.Personally I think the area bounded by Sarcee, McKnight, Deerfoot and Glenmore aren't bad, with tweaking.

[Rusty van Reddick]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I think Calgary is a perfect storm of:
- high parking rates in the innercity (free while using a car2go)
- taxi shortages at certain times
- much of the city being quite car-centric
- possibly lack of late night transit (other than LRT)

Car share is a similarly huge success in cities that have none of these aspects. Car share is a good thing and I celebrate the success of Car2Go as part and parcel of our evolution as a modern, progressive city.

[srperrycgy]

I think the South/West/East boundaries are reasonable. Extending to 24th Ave N is probably a good thing. I had one of the new cars on Saturday and it wreaked of new car smell and had only 179km on it. I was floored to find out today that there are 15000 members in Calgary! Incredible. The idea of dedicated parking stalls are LRT stations is good, but there are only two that are in the Home Area and have the space in existing Park-n-Ride lots: Chinook and 39th Avenue. As for winter, I probably not using the service when the weather is bad.

[DizzyEdge]

I expect the north boundary is so short as there's really no destinations up there. South you have Chinook, West you have MRU, NW you have the U of C, North you just have Sait, and it's within the boundary. One might be able to argue for including 17th ave SE.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by Rusty van Reddick

Car share is a similarly huge success in cities that have none of these aspects. Car share is a good thing and I celebrate the success of Car2Go as part and parcel of our evolution as a modern, progressive city.

Certainly, just looking for reasons why Calgary might be worldwide leader in Car2go growth. I actually forgot another reason why Calgary might be doing so well: No existing Zip car competition.

[Bigtime]

Based on the overwhelming success of Car2Go is it fair to assume we'll see Zip Car here soon (perhaps by next Spring)?