The Quadra ICAN Transportation Team is considering creating infrastructure for ride sharing — essentially carpooling. A driver offers a seat in their car to other community members seeking a ride to a similar destination. It is an environmentally conscious (cost-effective, ferry-line-reducing, and community-building) alternative mode of transportation. The system would be based upon peer-to-peer communication, without administration. The ICAN Rideshare Survey was presented in May and June 2022 to residents of Quadra Island and Cortes Island and to the Surge Narrows community to gauge their interest in ride sharing on and off Quadra Island.
A total of 166 replies were received of which 130 completed the survey. Over three-quarters of the respondents from Cortes and Surge Narrows were in favour of implementing a rideshare program around Quadra Island, but there was less certainty from Quadra residents. This hesitation may be due to lingering apprehension about the COVID-19 virus.

When asked how frequently a ride would be requested, respondents estimated they would primarily use a rideshare once a month or a few times a year. Most of those surveyed indicated they would share a seat in their car and 40% of all respondents indicated sharing travel costs may increase their interest in offering a ride. Additionally, most respondents indicated they would offer rides once a month. Preferences regarding communication platform varied widely. The majority of participants indicated they would prefer to not pay a fee to support the user infrastructure.

The results reveal a potential corridor of interested residents between Surge Narrows, the Heriot Bay area including the ferry terminal and Quathiaski Cove. Next steps for the Alternative Transportation Team include examining communication infrastructure to facilitate ridesharing on Quadra and developing the framework for the service. The Team also plans to set up a test run with a small group of participants to determine the viability of this ridesharing project.

Aaryn Perreault-Laird
ICAN Transportation Team
aarynplhotmail.com