Read the article by Henri Ouellette-Vézina published in La Presse: Ouest de Montréal | Des véhicules de Communauto le long du REM
MONTREAL, June 11, 2026 — Still in 2026, Communauto continues its sustained growth in Montreal with the addition of 450 vehicles to its Montreal network, the expansion of its FLEX service to Nuns’ Island with the support of the borough of Verdun, as well as a significant rollout in the West Island through a new collaboration with the REM.
Communauto sets up in the West Island through a partnership with the REM
In the coming days, Communauto will strengthen its presence in the west of Montreal through a collaboration with CDPQ Infra. A total of 26 new station-based vehicles will be deployed near the following REM stations:
- Du Ruisseau
- Bois-Franc
- Sunnybrooke
- Pierrefonds
- Sainte-Dorothée
- Grand-Moulin
- Deux-Montagnes
- Des Sources
- Anse-à-l’Orme
This initiative, which aims to make intermodality easier and allow residents to combine public transit and carsharing more easily, enables Communauto to make, for the first time, a significant breakthrough into the West Island territory.
“This initiative clearly illustrates the complementarity between carsharing and public transit. The presence of a structuring network like the REM creates favorable conditions for deploying a carsharing offering connected to the existing network. In return, carsharing allows public transit users to complete their trips and meet their mobility needs without relying on car ownership,” said Benoît Robert, President and Founder of Communauto.
“The REM contributes to mobility across Greater Montreal by integrating into a diverse offering. The arrival of Communauto in several REM stations enriches this ecosystem and concretely improves access to the network. By combining public transit and carsharing, we are building mobility that is more integrated, more efficient, and better adapted to the realities of residents, while promoting more sustainable modes of transportation and reducing dependence on private car ownership,” said Julien Hurel, Vice-President, REM at CDPQ Infra.
Expansion of the FLEX service
FLEX arrives in Nuns’ Island with the support of the borough of Verdun
To better meet the mobility needs of Nuns’ Island residents, Communauto will continue expanding its FLEX service in this area. An initial zone will be deployed in the center of the island, allowing users to pick up or drop off a FLEX vehicle for trips to or from other parts of Montreal. This new zone will be launched in the coming days, following on from recent rollouts in Pointe-aux-Trembles and Lachine.
This expansion reflects a shared commitment to providing residents with mobility solutions that are more accessible and better integrated with the various transportation options available across the territory.
“On Nuns’ Island, our insular reality makes every new mobility option all the more important, and this service was highly anticipated. The arrival of Communauto FLEX concretely expands travel options. We are proud of this collaboration, and my team will continue to seize every opportunity to grow the service offering in the borough. Today’s announcement is a great example—and it’s only the beginning!” said Céline-Audrey Beauregard, Mayor of Verdun.
FLEX expands to Pointe-aux-Trembles
Additionally, the Pointe-aux-Trembles zone will be expanded in summer 2026 to serve a new area between 18th Avenue and Marien Avenue, and Forsyth Street and Notre-Dame East Street.
Growth driven by real demand
To meet growing demand, Communauto has been adding vehicles to its Montreal network since January 2026. A total of 750 vehicles are being added, including 300 replacements for retired cars and 450 net additions. The combined fleet of station-based and FLEX vehicles is therefore expected to exceed 5,000 units over the summer.
This expansion is supported by strong user appreciation of the service. According to the latest satisfaction survey conducted among users in May 2026, more than 9 out of 10 respondents recommend Communauto to people they know—an indicator of the growing role of carsharing in the travel habits of Montrealers.
The survey, conducted among 4,466 users (with a 1% margin of error, 19 times out of 20), confirms the key role of carsharing in reducing car use. Among respondents, 83% do not own a personal vehicle, and 42% say that Communauto was the main factor in their decision to sell their car or not purchase one. Among new users, annual driving mileage has also decreased by 40%, demonstrating the potential of carsharing to promote more sustainable mobility.
Communauto in brief
Founded in Quebec City in 1994, Communauto is the largest carsharing service in Canada and the oldest in North America. Present on two continents in around twenty cities—including Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, and Paris—it operates both reservation-based (round-trip) and free-floating (one-way, no reservation) services. With a fleet of more than 7,000 vehicles, Communauto has the largest shared electric vehicle fleet in Canada and one of the largest in North America. As a company with a social, environmental, and urban mission, its goal is to reduce the impact of cars on cities while improving access to mobility by offering an alternative to private car ownership.
Information:
Marco Viviani
Vice President, Strategic Development
Communauto
[email protected]