TRU Car Share
Please note that CarShare program vehicles cannot be driven outside of BC. Only TRU staff and faculty members (students on a case-by-case basis) are eligible to use CarShare, for only TRU-related business.
Before booking your initial trip, you need to sign up (Step 1, below).
Steps to get started
One time activation
- Staff and faculty need to register prior to using the TRU Car Share program to get an account. Students can use cars on a case-by-case basis, their faculty supervisor must give permission for the specific outings.
- All drivers must possess a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver’s license (Class 7, or "N", drivers are not able to participate in TRU Car Share). It's essential to upload both the front and back of your driver's license, along with your driving record. The driver's license information will confirm your eligibility to drive in BC, while the examination of your driving records will help us assess any violations that might be of concern. This ensures a safe and compliant car sharing experience for all members.
- In situations where drivers have a trend of speeding tickets or other similar infractions, they may be denied access to the program. For more details, see the last bullet under ‘Access to and use of all TRU Car Share vehicles’, below.
- You will receive a welcome email from TRU Car Share.
- You will need to add a cell phone contact number where you can be reached at while you have got the vehicle.
- Add the contact email of your supervisor or travel approver. The system will send them a notification whenever you make a vehicle booking.
Use a car
Once you have registered, use the link below to book your vehicle.
Book a TRU CarOverview and guidelines
Staff and faculty (and sometimes students) who need transportation for TRU-related business can use this program. Conference travel, meetings, and field trips are all potential cases, but note that vehicles cannot be driven outside of BC.
3 cars are available:
- Toyota Prius 2018 plug-in hybrid (which utilizes electric and gas):
- ‘plug-in hybrid’ which means it has approximately 30 km of pure electric range, but once this runs out the gas engine automatically kicks in; 4 seatbelts.
- 2021 Tesla Model 3 SR+ fully electric car:
- approx. 350km of EV range, 5 seat belts;
- please review the Tesla information document before booking.
- Kia Sorento 2025 plug-in hybrid:
- ‘plug-in hybrid’ with approximately 48 km of pure electric range, but once this runs out the gas engine automatically kicks in; 4 seatbelts.
In the event the vehicles need attention (for example, a headlight is out or there is a flat tire), please reach out to us at sustain@tru.ca or call 250-852-7652.
We are always open to suggestions on how to make this program better for the employees of TRU and are open to suggestions any time. Contact the Sustainability Office (sustain@tru.ca) if you’d like to provide feedback.
Access to and use of all TRU Car Share vehicles is conditional on acceptance of and compliance with the following terms.
- Please be aware there is GPS tracking on the vehicles that will be used in cases where the business use of the vehicles is questioned.
- Drivers are expected to conduct a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle to ensure that there is no damage to the exterior or exterior of the car. Drivers are responsible to account for damage that has been noted after car use.
- Drivers are expected to return all vehicles in the same, or better, condition as prior to their use and with a full tank of gas, or charged/charging.
- Vehicles should be clean, tidy, and free of damage.
- All drivers must possess a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver's license (Class 7, or "N", drivers are not able to participate in TRU Car Share).
- All drivers must comply with all Canadian traffic laws.
- All drivers and passengers in university vehicles must acknowledge that they are considered representatives of TRU and must act and drive responsibly.
- Modifications to university vehicles are not permitted. This includes affixing signs, stickers, trailer hitches, etc.
- Drivers are responsible for the cost of all traffic violations, parking tickets, toll bridge fees, etc.
- If a university vehicle sustains any damage, the driver must report the incident to the TRU Sustainability Office immediately, regardless of the severity of damage.
- Once finished with a vehicle, drivers are to complete an entry in the log book found tucked beside the passenger seat of each vehicle.
- Please be courteous to the many friends, coworkers and colleagues using the cars. Damage to the vehicles limits how often they can be used, so please drive and park with consideration of others.
- Program Access Denied - Drivers who exhibit a trend of speeding tickets or other infractions over the last few years will not be allowed into the program until that trend ceases to be an issue, at which time drivers can reapply.
Examples of the trend are as follows:- two infractions within the last 12 months;
- one infraction per consecutive 12 months, over the last three consecutive years;
- three infractions over the last 24 consecutive months.
- Of course, there are always exceptions to these rules so if you would like to discuss your particular situation, please reach out to the head of the TRU CarShare Program by emailing sustain@tru.ca, and put in Subject line: CarShare – Discuss Program Access Denied
In an emergency, call 911
Once the emergency has been addressed by the appropriate first responder team please call James Gordon at 250-852-7153 or secondary emergency contact Lora Sartori at 250-852-7652 to make the office aware of the situation.
Roadside assistance for KIA Sorento:
Scan the QR code on the driver’s side door to get 24/7 roadside assistance.
Tire repair instructions
The 3 vehicles do not have a spare tire. Instead use a tire inflation kit – see instructions for each vehicle:
Toyota Prius
Use the spray sealant and air compressor to temporarily fix the tire. Have a look at this video to see how to fix a flat on the Prius.
Having the vehicle towed and repaired at Toyota is preferable, but if you use the tire repair kit, please notify the Sustainability Office (sustain@tru.ca) ASAP, so a replacement kit can be ordered.
Tesla Model 3
Use the spray sealant and air compressor to temporarily fix the tire. Both are located in the trunk. Follow the instructions listed on the spray sealant.
KIA Sorento
Use the tire inflation kit (tire mobility kit) located in the trunk to temporarily fix the tire. Please refer to the instruction manual in the kit.
Also note that you can contact Kia Roadside Assistance (QR code is on the driver’s side door).
Frequently asked questions
Where do I park the TRU Car Share vehicles?
You will receive an email once the vehicles are booked with parking locations of your requested vehicle.
Can I leave my personal vehicle in the same parking spot as the TRU Car Share vehicle I’m using?
Yes, you may leave your personal vehicle in the designated TRU Care Share parking space. You must have a valid parking permit (economy, general, premium or reserved) or you can purchase a daily general parking permit using the SMRTpass QR code located on the stall marker.
What is the protocol with fueling up and charging the vehicles?
The Toyota and Kia hybrids must be returned with a full gas tank. Fuel expenses should be paid for by the driver using their p-card or billed to their office’s travel budget.
All vehicles should be plugged in to charge at the end of your trip.
The FLO charging stations located on campus are free of charge. A FLO card is in the center console of each vehicle. Below is an infographic on how to use the charger for each vehicle.
Do I need to make an entry in the vehicle logbook at the beginning of my trip?
Yes. There is a pre-trip inspection checklist at the start of the logbook, please follow this inspection checklist and indicate its completion in your logbook entry.
Once finished with a vehicle, please complete an entry in the logbook found tucked beside the passenger seat of each vehicle, including the final odometer reading and litres of fuel or kWh of electricity purchased for your trip.
How clean do the vehicles need to be when I return them?
Drivers are responsible for basic tidiness (crumbs, dirt, dust, general debris, etc.) and the vehicles should be returned with a clean exterior. You are expected to take the vehicle through a car wash if necessary.
If the vehicles need more attention, please notify the Sustainability Office and a professional cleaning will be arranged.
Where are the car keys?
Information on the location of the key lockboxes is disclosed in your booking email. These boxes are available 24/7 and you are expected to get your key when you pick up the vehicle.
What should I do if I can’t get the keys or my booked vehicle is not there?
Call Lora Sartori at 250-852-7253 or James Gordon at 250-852-7153 at the Sustainability Office and tell them about the situation. Do not take another vehicle without permission.
Tesla FAQs
How do I use the touch screen system for navigation and vehicle settings?
How do I use the Tesla chargers, superchargers or public chargers?
On DC fast charging on non-Tesla (FLO, Chargepoint, BC Hydro, etc.) stations, you will need to sign up for these networks separately or use your own credit card to pay for the charging as TRU does not yet have accounts set up for every network. With the prevalance supercharger network drivers are not expected to need access to these charge stations.
Are there other Tesla videos?
Have a look at other Tesla related how-to videos.
EV charging information
How to use the charger for each vehicle?
