The Travel Mileage Policy

 
*updated March 23, 2026*
 

Background

Transportation costs are a significant portion of the expenses related to outdoor recreation. In the past, the amount and frequency in which drivers are compensated for the use of their vehicle has not been formalized, which has resulted in some inconsistency in people remembering to pay and in determining what amount is appropriate. Further to this, wear and tear on the vehicle, tires, and maintenance are significant expenses related to operating a vehicle that is often overlooked when it comes to compensating drivers.

In response, the IMR researched the approach and policy of other outdoor clubs, including the British Columbia Mountaineering Club. Based on this information, the IMR developed a model based on best practices. The Travel Mileage Policy provides both guidance and establishes terms in which to equitably address transportation costs related to club activities.

This policy was adopted on April 14, 2022

It’s recommended that passengers and drivers follow this policy on club trips.

Application

This policy applies to all club members and guests participating in club-sanctioned trips. The following guides trip leaders when estimating the cost of shared transportation for a trip they are posting and those participants signing up for a trip.

Following the date of adoption of this policy, each trip posting should include estimated ridesharing fees based on the level of compensation as follows:

Drivers:

Pay “in kind” by providing a vehicle, cleaning costs, and chauffeuring time (while passengers can rest, relax, etc.)

Passengers:

Pay a per-kilometre fee (see the rationale below for details)

This rate is per passenger when one or two passengers are on board. If three or more passengers share the vehicle with the driver, they split the two-passenger total.

Extra Costs:

For rough 4WD LO logging roads, each person pays a fixed fee of $10.00

Each person pays addtional expense for fee for unpaved roads over different distances:

  • $5 if from 3-10 km
  • $10 if from 11-25 km
  • $15 if more than 25 km
  • Plus, an extra $10 if Low 4WD is used

Distribution:

Trip leaders and all club members should fairly distribute passengers to all vehicles.

Discretion:

Exceptions and hardships should be dealt with at the driver’s discretion.


Purpose

To standardize an equitable practice to compensate drivers for motor vehicle use, wear and tear and vehicle maintenance related to the transportation of participants to and from scheduled club trips.

Rationale:

It is based on a vehicle that uses a litre of gas to go 6 km; or about 17L per 100 k. Yes, I know most of you will say that you have a much more fuel-efficient vehicle than that, but if you have a robust 4WD, that’s about the gas consumption.

Upon writing, the mode of a litre on GasBuddy for Nanaimo is $187.9 or $1.88. $1.88/6 is 31 cents per litre. Drivers can request more or less, depending on their vehicle. We will update the price per litre of gas on or about the first of each month.

Policy No. A1-2022  —adopted April 14, 2022


The Travel Mileage Policy

This will be updated on or about the first of every month. The per-kilometre base rate will be calculated based on the mode price of a litre of gasoline in Nanaimo, according to GasBuddy, divided by 6.

Base Rate = (Price of a litre of gas) / 6

Plus, for travel on gravel roads, the supplement will be:

        • $5 if from 3-10 km
        • $10 if from 11-25 km
        • $15 if more than 25 km

Plus, an extra $10 if Low 4WD is used.

Base Rate Breakdown

The mode price of gas on March 23, 2026: $2.049

    • base rate per kilometre      $0.38 
    • if 2 passengers                       $0.19
    • if 3 passengers                       $0.13
    • if 4 passengers                       $0.10