Frequently Asked Questions

Who does the day-to-day work?

CCE is run entirely by volunteers. Although we hope to grow to a size where we can hire administrative and maintenance staff, the reality is that right now CCE members do the work of maintaining the cars, calculating the billing, processing membership applications, and managing the future of the CCE. CCE asks all of its members to make a contribution in some capacity – you can clean the car, join a committee, or even be a board member!
To see what sort of help we’re looking for right now, take a look at our Volunteer Opportunities page.

Who makes the decisions?

The day-to-day decisions are made by the Board of Directors. Ultimately the members decide the direction of the CCE – that’s you!

What is the availability of the co-op cars?

Ideally a car should be available to you 100% of the time. The reality is that this may not be the case. Even with private ownership someone else in the household may use the vehicle or that it is broken-down and needs repairs therefore making the private vehicle unavailable. The standard availability in other carsharing groups is that vehicles are available for over 90% of the time. CCE is expecting to meet or exceed this level of service.

How long can I use the car?

You can book a car for as long as you want. The shortest time period you can book and use it for is 30 minutes. Remember that you pay a per hour charge to encourage you to use it efficiently. It is suggested that you cost compare the co-operative vehicle with a rental for long trips.

Can others in my household use the co-op cars?

Yes. A member may sponsor a person that shares their household and has a relationship with the member. The sponsored person needs to be eligible for membership as outlined in the Supplemental By-Laws. This is explained in more depth in the member’s manual.

Who fills up the fuel tank?

Each member is responsible for ensuring that the tank is at least half full for the next user. When a member notices that the tank needs to be filled they will fill it and submit the receipt for reimbursement on their monthly bill.

How is damage to the vehicles recorded?

Members crosscheck each other by doing a visual inspection of the vehicle before and after each use.

What happens in case of an accident?

Ensure that everyone is safe and if need be, first aid is being provided and the proper authorities are notified.Contact a CCE board member immediately.

Who cleans and maintains the cars?

If you make a mess of the car you will be expected to clean it and pay for it. CCE volunteers clean the vehicle on a regular basis and take care of all vehicle maintenance. The CCE vehicle is on a preventative maintenance schedule to ensure that it is in good and safe working order.

What happens if I get a parking ticket or the vehicle is towed?

Each member is responsible for their own actions. If you fail to put money in the meter or park in a tow away zone you will be responsible for paying these charges. You may also be responsible for charges incurred by other members if the car is not available for them to use when they had reserved it.

What if I decide to leave the car co-op?

Carsharing is about co-operative ownership and that takes flexibility and willingness to working with others. This system isn’t for everyone. If you decide to leave the CCE you need to notify the CCE board in writing and your membership deposit ($400) will be returned less any monies owing to the CCE. A check will be done to ensure there are not any outstanding parking tickets or other charges caused by your use of the vehicle(s). The deposit will be returned 90 days after you have returned the key and the CCE has received your letter of intent.

What is an “RSS News Feed”?

An RSS feed lets you know where there are new news items on our site. See the two links below for a more detailed description.
What is RSS?
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