I’ve undertaken a project this year that will increasingly see me ranging far and wide across the city with multiple destinations every day. Natalie and I have just the one car, and already it sometimes it’s been getting complicated to share that. A couple of weeks ago I decided to take the bull by the horns and sign up for Communauto, Today I accomplished my first trip using it, and I can offer some very positive thoughts!

Sign-up for Communauto was pretty easy. It’s all online. I read the various packages, determined to sign up for the $5/month option with a $500 refundable bond.. I also chose an inexpensive damage option that adds a couple of bucks to each trip. For a little more I could have chosen a slightly more expensive monthly membership that would cost me less per trip, but I’m not sure how much I’ll use it yet. If I wind up using the service often, I’ll upgrade. There is the requirement to send a standard driving record check, available instantaneously online from the MTO. Uploading that check, and pictures of my licence, was easy and quick.

Within the promised 4-5 days, I got email confirmation that… I had to send more documents. Because my licence was expiring imminently on the eve of my birthday, they needed an up-to-date licence, so I had to head down to renew my licence and then upload the current documents. But within a couple of days, I got my welcome email. I installed the app, and looked forward to booking my first ride.

Today, Nat and I both had mid-day commitments and I didn’t have a lot of time to bus or bike. So, I used the app to reserve a car that was about 300m from my house to make the trip. There aren’t any electric cars within easy walking distance of me, so I booked a Toyota Hybrid for two hours.

I was a little uncertain walking up to the car with my phone just ahead of the reservation time. But, true to the company’s instructional materials, when the clock ticked over to the reservation time (the app shows a countdown to that point) a “start trip” button became available. I clicked, and the car unlocked.

The car key was in its slot in the glove compartment as promised. The gas was nearly full. It took me a minute to adjust the seat and mirrors, and I was off. The car drove very well and was basically clean and well-maintained. The previous occupant had left an empty Starbucks cup in the cupholder that I considered poor manners. And, I brought an older USB cable instead of USB-C, so I couldn’t use CarPlay. I’ll know for next time! Of course, the fleet is automatic as one would expect, but I always miss my own manual ride.

Ending the trip when I got back to that car’s station near my house through the app was easy-peasy after I left the key in its glove compartment slot, and I’m very happy that there weren’t any wrinkles and everything worked exactly as promised.

You can see the receipt below. It was $24 for the 19 km trip during the two hours I had the car booked, with time and distance contributing roughly half each of that, plus fees. There are credit cards in the vehicle (which are activated via the app as needed) should a member need to fill up, which they ask you to do if it’s around 1/4 tank. I didn’t fill up, so didn’t have the chance to try that out.

I’ve also posted the estimated trip cost by local cab, which would have been the same cost one-way, so I’m very happy that Communauto was half what that would have cost.

I’m not sure when I’ll next use a Communauto, but with the paperwork done I’m very glad to have the option! I’d read that weekend bookings are tough, but at least in case there was a car near me when I wanted it. I’m not sure what at some point in the future when our current car is at the end of its life we’ll do about replacing it. I flirt frequently with going car-free, and knowing better now what the rough cost of Communauto is I’m more confident it could be a very viable option rounding out our walking/biking/transit trips.