Summers in Nova Scotia aren’t complete without three things: your friends, the ocean, and a road trip. Imagine the blue waters of Crystal Crescent beach washing up on your feet or watching the some of the world’s highest tides rise and fall after your five-hour hike at Cape Split. The season screams hiking getaways and beach days with ease but getting anywhere outside of the city proves to be difficult without car access.
Owning a car gets to be expensive between the initial payments and insurance alone. Just adding in the gas will have you working the entire summer away to pay it off, rather than getting out there to enjoy it. CarShare Atlantic gives you the freedom of accessing a car whenever you need it, without high payments.
CarSharing has been around for 25 years in Canada but is still a relatively new concept to so many of us. The membership-based service is made easy: once you sign up, you can drive those cars whenever you need. Plan your weekend away ahead of time or grab a car last minute to get where you want, when you want. You can afford to be spontaneous; their memberships are designed for either type of traveller.
You can use a car for just a few minutes, or up to a month, anytime 24/7, meaning you can pick a friend up from the airport at midnight, or go visit family on Christmas day. More convenient than a rental car, self-service visits conveniently start right in your neighborhood, and you know that your parking spot will be waiting for you at the end of your trip too. Plus, you only need to be 19 to drive with CarShare Atlantic, making them perfect for those from the city needing to get away from the noise. Whatever your long-distance car needs are, CarShare has you covered.
You’re probably thinking: “I don’t need a car in my life,” and CarShare agrees that there is no need to buy a car. Just use it that once a week, or once a year, when you need to escape. As soon as you join, there is no more paperwork! Say goodbye to the hassle and hello to a stress-free road trip at the drop of a hat.
Plus they have two services to get you where you need to go. CarShare Atlantic FLEX is designed for the one-way quick trip that turned up out of the blue. Plus, you can take a FLEX car in just one direction, allowing you to take the bus to the office, but grab a car if plans pop up after work. Just check the app to see if there’s a FLEX car available near you.
With FLEX, you don’t even need to give a return time. Ride for a quick five minutes and then just park in the FLEX zone where signage permits – the FLEX zone covers most of the Halifax Peninsula and Downtown Dartmouth (the worst spots to park!) CarShare cars have special permits where you can basically park anywhere. Watch as your friends start asking you for rides – parking in the city has never been easier.
CarShare Atlantic station-based lets you book a car up to a month ahead, giving you piece of mind. Station cars have a specific parking spot, so you don’t have to worry about finding parking, and your trips can start and end in the same place.
The technology they provide is amazing – with the real time app you’ll know exactly where to find a car the minute you need one, and it also gives you the option to book ahead. Once you’ve found the most convenient car, you just scan your fob to unlock the doors, and drive away. Not a smart phone user? You can also book on their website or call their hotline. Let CarShare handle your worries and get you where you need to go.
The entire experience is made affordable and accessible, especially with CarShare taking care of both the insurance and gas. You can find your keys with a gas card right in the glove box – it all comes with the membership. All you have to worry about is getting from Point A to point B and enjoying the ride.
Now that there is a FLEX zone in Downtown Dartmouth you can grab a car, pick up some friends in North End Halifax, head over to Dartmouth for dinner and drinks, then take the ferry home, or the FLEX car! It gives you options, and the flexibility to drop your car on either side of the harbour. Start a group grocery trip while you’re at it or take everyone on a tour around the south shore. Do whatever sparks the adventurer in you this summer and do it with the luxury and ease of being able to drive yourself. Go play in the city or explore outside of your comfort zone – and take CarShare Atlantic for the ride.
This content has been developed and paid for by CarShare Atlantic without involvement from The Coast’s editorial department.
This article appears in Jun 21-27, 2018.