(This story is sponsored by Modo.)

Modo is a member-owned community co-operative—the B.C.-based carshare organization has been putting people before profit for 23 years.

Despite the changes impinged upon our economy and communities by COVID-19, Modo continues to offer convenient transportation options and its fleet is cleaner than ever.

Because of the outbreak, Modo has ramped up its sanitization practices by an impressive 40 percent, with extra focus on high-touch areas like steering wheels and door handles, to ensure the safety of its members.

In an effort to provide affordable and reliable transportation to those with necessary travel needs during the pandemic, Modo developed its essential transportation program at-cost. This is even more impressive and necessary as Zipcar recently pulled out of the region, making it the second international carshare corporation to exit this year.

The new program gives its member-owners (Modo Plus) an affordable and safe mode of transportation for their essential travel needs—during a time when carpooling isn’t an option and public transit is operating on greatly reduced schedules.

Members are still able to book vehicles by the hour or day during the pandemic but the new program gives Modo Plus members’ additional access to a vehicle for their exclusive use for 30 days. For a flat monthly fee of $500 or $550 (depending on the model), the vehicle also includes gas, insurance, and plenty of free parking in permit-only and residential zones, and for two hours at the meters. Members can store their items in the booked vehicle and park close to their home or place of work—the vehicle is theirs for the entire month.

The team at Modo wants to support those who need to leave self-isolation to run essential errands and travel to work, no matter what their job—with Modo’s open and inclusive co-operative, anyone is welcome to join.

Before the pandemic, Vancouver residents were able rely on public transit. But with the tightening of social-distancing regulations, many transit routes have been temporarily reduced or removed altogether.

“As physical distancing measures and travel restrictions continue, we know some members still require the use of our vehicles for essential trips,” says Selena McLachlan, director of marketing and communications at Modo. “For many, this means delivering care or necessary goods, picking up groceries, or simply getting to work if your doors are still open for business.”

After receiving requests from community volunteers and small business owners, the team at Modo saw an opportunity to offer a selection of their vehicles at-cost—this was how the carshare company could give back to individuals and local businesses during the pandemic.

“We have seen small businesses have to reinvent themselves and implement delivery options,” says McLachlan. “They told us that they would love to have its delivery staff use Modo but that the service would be cost-prohibitive on a daily basis, especially now when many are seeing a dramatic drop in revenues.”

The temporary monthly rate will help local companies adapt and succeed during this challenging time. Several of the small businesses using Modo vehicles have been able to avoid layoffs. A number of businesses have even had to hire more workers, providing employment opportunities for those who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.

Supporting our communities during this unprecedented time is vital—we are all in this together. But because of the changing economy, many volunteers felt that they would be unable to continue their charitable efforts to support the vulnerable without an affordable mode of transportation.

Long-time Modo member and volunteer Constance Barnes had this to say:

“Right now my Modo van is my lifeline to the work I do in the Downtown Eastside. I deliver masks, gloves, food, water, cleaning supplies, and much more to the most vulnerable people in this province.”

Barnes is not only using Modo every day but has also been using her own money to purchase the personal protective equipment and food for those in need. “We were able to introduce her to the new essential transportation program as a way to support her and give back to our community”, says McLachlan, “now she can afford to keep doing her incredible relief work.”

Modo acknowledges there’s a multitude of reasons why people might need a vehicle during the pandemic. Whether you’re volunteering, travelling to work, or picking up groceries, the team at Modo believes all of those tasks are worthy of safe transportation.

“Whatever the definition of essential might be, we want to be there for our members when they need us most,” says McLachlan.

If you can make use of Modo’s essential transportation program, call Modo at 604-685-1393 or send an email to info@modo.coop with “ESSENTIAL TRANSPORTATION” in the subject line. If you’re new to Modo, note in the email that you heard about the offer through the Straight and get $25 in driving credits with promo code “STRAIGHTETP”.