New scheme aims to spread 'pay as you go' car clubs across UK
50,000 people in the UK are now enjoying the benefits of using a pay as you go car club scheme and this number is growing at an amazing rate of 200 per cent a year. These people have none of the hassles of looking after a car, finance and servicing, they use the car club like you use taxi or bus and pay for it by the half hour. They can even borrow a people carrier or van when they need it. The catch is they almost all live in London. Except for a few places outside the capital the choice of using cars as a service rather than having to own one doesn’t exist. Until now….
A new not for profit company called Commonwheels has been set up with the support of Carplus and the Department for Transport to plug the gaps and give everyone the same choice.
Car clubs provide members with a quick and easy access to a car for short term hire.
Car clubs can transform communities blighted by the congestion, pollution and diminishing local services. Research has shown that many car club members give up their car or second car (or put off buying one) resulting in one car club car clearing six private cars off the road. Without a car parked outside their home, travel blending, including the use of public transport, becomes a more viable option and car use is cut by 50%. Shorter trips are often combined or replaced with walking and cycling with knock on health and social benefits on top.
David Turin owns an Arts Company and has family car club membership: 'I love car clubs because of the manner in which membership can address the problem of car ownership; both for the individual and for the environment. For me, signing up has solved all my transport problems whilst staying in line with my strong views on the need to cut carbon emissions. There really is an enormous ‘ease factor’ to the service and I would recommend it to anyone.'
A new not for profit company called Commonwheels has been set up with the support of Carplus and the Department for Transport to plug the gaps and give everyone the same choice.
Car clubs provide members with a quick and easy access to a car for short term hire.
- Vehicles can be booked in advance or with just a few moments’ notice, using the phone or internet.
- Cars are located just a short walk from the member’s home or workplace.
- They are accessed using an electronic swipe card.
- Bookings can be extended using the in-car technology and usage is paid for with a single monthly bill (fuel and maintenance are included in the price).
Car clubs can transform communities blighted by the congestion, pollution and diminishing local services. Research has shown that many car club members give up their car or second car (or put off buying one) resulting in one car club car clearing six private cars off the road. Without a car parked outside their home, travel blending, including the use of public transport, becomes a more viable option and car use is cut by 50%. Shorter trips are often combined or replaced with walking and cycling with knock on health and social benefits on top.
David Turin owns an Arts Company and has family car club membership: 'I love car clubs because of the manner in which membership can address the problem of car ownership; both for the individual and for the environment. For me, signing up has solved all my transport problems whilst staying in line with my strong views on the need to cut carbon emissions. There really is an enormous ‘ease factor’ to the service and I would recommend it to anyone.'
Related stories
- Car parking in planning and design: two months of UK workshops
- Too much traffic kills street residents' social lives, new report suggests
- Community takes direct action to prevent problem parking
- Estimated traffic levels rise by 7 billion vehicle kilometres between 2005-2006
- Consultations launched: planning & pollution for new developments and cars and carbon emissions
- Mobility in Cities data
