I’m already a Communauto subscriber
To access Auto-mobile, the component of our offer, simply register your OPUS card number in Réservauto (Personal Information section). Everyone who registers their OPUS card automatically has access to the service, no matter which city they live in (Montreal, Québec City, Sherbrooke, Gatineau). Use your usual Réservauto access codes (membership number, password) to block Auto-mobile vehicles.
Access to Auto-mobile vehicles is immediate after registering your OPUS card
You will then have to watch the video below as well as the video on the use of electric cars if you have not already done so (see Electric Vehicles) and read through the rules specific to the use of the Auto-mobile vehicles.
Using an Auto-mobile vehicle shall be construed as the acceptance of these rules and that you have taken the time to familiarize yourself with how electric vehicles work by watching the video.
Here are the elements of the specific rules you must read before your first Auto-mobile trip (from the Auto-mobile rules and regulations):
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF AUTO-MOBILE VEHICLES (click on the title to view the content)
1. DEFINITIONS AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE SERVICE AREA
For the following rules, these definitions apply:
Service area: the designated geographical area where it is possible to take and bring back an Auto-mobile vehicle. This zone currently corresponds to the boundaries indicated on this map; When using a vehicle, the on-board computer indicates whether the vehicle is inside the service area or not. It is the responsibility of the subscriber to respect the information on the screen.
Rules & regulations: all of the Communauto operating rules which are indicated in the Rules & Regulations for the usage of Auto-mobile vehicles and its Appendices, as well as any other directives issued from time to time by Communauto to ensure a proper functioning of its carsharing service.
Agent: the person in charge of customer relations at Communauto;
4. DETERMINATION OF THE DURATION OF THE USE
4.1 Determination of the duration of use
The Subscriber can spontaneously use the available vehicles labelled Auto-mobile, without a reservation.
The cost of the service is calculated starting when the vehicle is taken by the Subscriber and ending when the vehicle is released.
The act of locking the doors of the vehicles with the OPUS card while inside the serving area, subject to compliance with city regulations and restrictions on parking specific to Auto-mobile set out in Article 6, allows the Subscriber to release the vehicle and to end the billed usage period. A green indicator light confirms the success of this operation.
4.2 Reservations in advance
It is possible to reserve (block) a vehicle in real-time for a short period of time (currently 30 minutes) in order to reach the vehicle. The minutes elapsed between the time where a vehicle is “blocked” by a Subscriber and the moment it is accessed are not billed.
4.3 Accessibility of customer service and emergency situations
It is possible to talk to an Agent at any time (24/7) by calling the reservation number. However, Communauto’s office hours (for administrative purposes) are from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
In case of an emergency or to report a problem with a vehicle, the Subscriber must always use the reservation number and talk to an Agent. Never leave a message on a voice mail or use an email.
5. TAKING AND RETURNING A VEHICLE
5.1 The Subscriber can take a vehicle and return it anywhere on the public property, inside the serving area, provided the parking regulations and restrictions specific to the Auto-mobile project set up in Article 6 are respected.
5.3 The use of the vehicles outside the serving area is permitted provided the vehicle is returned inside the limits of the serving area at the end of the trip.
It is technically not possible to release a vehicle outside the serving area. The Subscriber therefore remains attributable for the costs related to the time the vehicle spent outside of its serving area for as long as it has not been released in accordance with the procedure described in section 4.1.
5.4 The vehicles must always be returned at the end of a trip on public property in an authorized location. The Subscriber who brings the vehicle to a prohibited place is held responsible for his negligence. If Communauto must solve the problem, a $20 service fee will be billed to the Subscriber. If a third party is used (taxi, roadside assistance or other) these costs are borne by the customer at fault.
6. PARKING RESTRICTIONS
6.1 The vehicles labelled Auto-mobile can be parked on public property on the curb side in the serving area, in all non-metered zones which do not have any restrictions. However, two important exceptions apply: parking in a street cleaning zone, at the end of a trip, is authorized, as long as it is permitted to park the vehicle in this space until the end of the following day; it is also permitted to park the Auto-mobile vehicles in residents-only parking requiring a parking permit, except for zones 103 (Plateau), 131 (Rosemont) and 143 (CDN-NDG) which are assigned to other Communauto vehicles.
If a vehicle is parked in a metered zone during its use, the Subscriber is responsible for paying its cost. It is not possible to return a vehicle on a parking meter zone at the end of a trip. As it is also not permitted to return a vehicle in a zone with temporary restrictions (ex. Landing or designated bus lane) even if parking is permitted in this zone at the time you return. Close attention must be paid to temporary signage for snow removal in winter.
7. TRIP COUPONS
7.3 It is not mandatory to fill out a trip coupon except to request an expense reimbursement (gas, car wash, windshield washer fluid…).
8. SUBSCRIBER RESPONSIIBLITIES
8.2 Electric vehicle driving range
Based on the driving, the terrain and accessories used (notably heating and air conditioning), the electric vehicle range can be extremely variable.
It is possible to maximize the vehicle’s range by selecting the ECO mode at all times rather than the Drive mode (highly recommended).
8.3 Avoiding battery depletion
When using an electric vehicle, the Subscriber is responsible at the start of his trip of making sure that the vehicle taken has enough driving range to be returned inside the Serving area at the end of its trip with a minimum of 15 km of driving range indicated on the dashboard. Penalties apply if the user returns the vehicle without sufficient driving range for Communauto to bring the vehicle to the closest charging dock.
To avoid unnecessary expenses that could be billed to the Subscriber, the Subscriber who realizes that he will not be able to return the vehicle inside the serving area and does not wish to keep the vehicle during the whole period necessary to charge it must immediately contact an Agent to obtain Communauto’s roadside assistance number instead of waiting until the battery is completely depleted.
8.4 Flat tire
In the event of a flat tire, the Subscriber is responsible for returning the vehicle inside the serving area or to dispose of it as directed by the Communauto Agent. If he repairs the flat tire, the Subscriber expenses will be credited to the Subscriber minus a $10 fee which corresponds to his share of the repair costs. If the Subscriber wishes to have roadside assistance to install a spare tire or if the vehicle needs to be towed, Communauto can credit up to 50% of the costs incurred, if any, upon the pre-approval of the Agent.
10. VIOLATIONS
10.3 Fines
At the end of its period of use, the Subscriber must avoid leaving a vehicle in a zone with parking restrictions such as the ones defined in Article 6. Failing to do so, the Subscriber is responsible for the fees incurred by Communauto for any fine or towing caused by any failure of the Subscriber. Communauto may also require that the Subscriber moves a vehicle returned in a zone with such restrictions. If Communauto must solve the problem, a $20 service fee will be billed to the Subscriber.
› Download the full version of the Rules and Regulations for the use of Auto-mobile vehicles (pdf)
See the tab How It Works to discover how to:
› Find a vehicle
› Access a vehicle
› Keep a vehicle during a stopover
› Release a vehicle