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Whistler Car Sharing Pilot Project

Whistler car sharing

Sustainable transportation systems are more widely used when they offer a variety of complimentary services to the public. For some people, it remains necessary at times to drive a vehicle. Car sharing allows people access to a vehicle without requiring ownership, and thus complements other modes such as walking, cycling and taking public transit.

The Whistler Housing Authority (WHA) was created in 1997 to oversee the development and administration of employee restricted housing within Whistler. Under the guidance of the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the WHA has created an inventory of price controlled and occupancy restricted housing market. The WHA also conducts numerous research studies each year on affordability and housing needs assessments within Whistler.

What are they doing?

The Whistler car-sharing project will pilot test strategies for promoting car-sharing, as well as the overall viability of car-sharing when offered through residential housing projects. By offering car-sharing as a transportation option within employee housing developments as well as for residents in surrounding neighborhoods, this project will aim to promote similar reductions in single-occupant vehicles in Whistler.

The service will target tenants and owners living in employee restricted housing in Whistler, which represent approximately 1,700 residents, but residents in neighbouring dwellings will also be eligible to participate in the car sharing program.

The project will:

  • Explore strategies for promoting and providing car sharing through housing developments
  • Survey residents living in resident restricted properties to gauge their interest in participating
  • Establish a car share program that will reduce the number of single occupant vehicles and the number of 2 car households
  • Implement an outreach program to share information on car sharing and the value of this alternative transportation strategy

What did the project accomplish?

In the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the local housing authority launched a car-sharing program in partnership with the municipality, a Vancouver-based car sharing organization and a local environmental organization. The project involved two vehicles, including one hybrid vehicle, and targeted residents living in employee housing developments. Residents in neighbouring dwellings were also encouraged to participate in the car share program. Notable results include:

  • 21 new car share members joined the Car Sharing Project over four months
  • Excellent local media coverage in papers, radio and on TV
  • Substantial communications program with radio and print advertising, posters, direct mail and 1,000 info pamphlets
  • Partnership formed between local environmental organization, the municipality and Canada's second largest car sharing organization
  • First car sharing opportunity in the Resort Municipality of Whistler
  • First car sharing project targeting residents of employee housing
  • 21 people registered for car share pilot project within first 4 months
  • 1 car share member sold their personal vehicle while another deferred purchase indefinitely

Where can you find more information?

Whistler Housing authority or Cooperative Auto



Date modified:
2010-02-03