Turo, a leading peer-to-peer car sharing company (think Airbnb but for cars) has announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Toronto Pearson International Airport. Turo is YYZ’s first car sharing partner, meaning travellers can now rent from the platform and have their vehicles waiting in a designated pickup/drop off spot at the airport.
Many car rental companies experienced fleet losses and struggled to add new vehicles during the pandemic, which resulted in a shortage the past few years that is continuing in 2023. Turo however has had a very different experience, seeing growth as they helped to fill the gap left by car rental companies.
“As a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace, we provide travellers with a unique and flexible option for their transportation needs,” Turo SVP Cedric Mathieu tells TravelPulse Canada.
“Many travellers turned to Turo during the pandemic for their transportation, and this trend continues to grow even as rental supplies increase because guests value Turo’s unrivalled selection and customer experience. Turo's unique model allows hosts to share their personal vehicles, allowing for a steady supply of cars, making us well-equipped to serve the evolving needs of travellers in Canada.”
Mathieu says the partnership exemplifies why consumers need more travel options, especially travelling to and from the airport. While they may previously been limited to taxis or ride sharing platforms, they can now opt for a convenient and easy-to-book trip with Turo at YYZ.
“We hope that as more people explore various transportation options, they will continue to discover the convenience and flexibility that Turo offers.”
Local Turo hosts can park their vehicles in the Terminal 1 or 3 parking garages or the Value Park Lot for guests to locate their booked vehicle. Travellers can then locate their vehicles in the parking area and remotely check-in to their reservation, all within minutes of arriving at the airport.
"At Toronto Pearson our focus is on the passenger experience which includes providing transportation choice," says Khalil Lamrabet, Chief Commercial Officer, Greater Toronto Airports Authority. "We are delighted to be partnering with Turo as another way to make travel that much more seamless and convenient."
Turo currently has hundreds of thousands of active guests enjoying tens of thousands of vehicles listed across eight provinces in Canada including existing airport partners: Newfoundland and Labrador (Deer Lake Regional Airport -YDF and Gander International Airport-YQX), Nova Scotia (Halifax Stanfield International Airport-YHZ) and Prince Edward Island - Charlottetown Airport YYG). The service is also available in the US, France, UK and Australia.
As for plans to work directly with the travel industry, especially agents, Mathieu says the company is open to collaborations.
“Turo is always exploring expansion opportunities and new ways to reach our audiences. While we don't have specific plans to work with Canadian agents at this moment, we are open to collaborations that can benefit both travellers and our host community.”
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