Possible car sharing service in Montreal

A Quebec company is looking to launch a new pay by the minute car sharing service in Montreal.

Communauto is hoping the success of the Bixi bikes in Montreal will translate to a success in the car sharing business. The Bixi’s and the car sharing service work similarly.

The plan is to spread about 400 cars downtown in areas like the Bixi’s. These cars could be taken without reservation or limit. After they could be parked at one of many designated parking locations, or any legal parking spot. A smartphone then helps customers looking for the nearest available car.

While the cost has not been confirmed a company official has said the price would be around $0.50 a minute, or $14 an hour up to a maximum of $65 in one day.

The plan is still in the works though. Communauto is in talks with the city which would have to approve the idea. Problems such as what cars to use and insurance issues still remain.

Communauto’s plan would like to imitate the successful Car2Go service that started in Germany in 2008 and has since spread to the United States.