Car share

Case study – Milton Keynes

CARSHAREMK has attracted over 1000 members in its first 9 months through incentives such as free parking for sharers, dedicated bays in prime locations and discounts on local buses. Launched at the same time as increased parking charges in the town centre, it is used mainly by commuters to central Milton Keynes. Over 90% of members use the scheme routinely, and shared cars make up 8% of parking at peak times. Recruitment is steady at about 100 members per month even though no concerted campaigns have been used to target large local employers.

Case study – Devon

Carsharedevon.com is a countywide car share matching website run by Devon County Council. Employers and individuals can register on the site and in the first 12 months over 1600 people had done so. It was publicised through:

• 40 commuter route signs
• Radio advertisements
• 116 bus back adverts
• 5000 leaflets to NHS workers
• Contact with 500 employers
• Publicity on franked mail
• Displays in libraries
• Messages to council staff

Smarter Choices research indicated that an active member of a scheme might save about 4,500km per year.

An automated web based scheme might cost between £400 and £8,000 to set up.
 

Car clubs

Car clubs give people the choice of a fleet of vehicles parked in their own neighbourhood. This gives them access to a car whenever they need it, but without the high fixed costs of individual car ownership.

Case study – Edinburgh

CityCarClub is a flagship car club that has seen highs and lows in its progress. Originally backed by Budget Rent-a-Car it went through turbulent times when they pulled out, but has since been re-launched and is going from strength to strength. Its members now have reciprocal access to car club facilities in Bristol, London, Brighton and Stroud. This gives people the option of using public transport for longer journeys while still having access to a car at their destination.

Car clubs are known to operate in:

• Leeds
• Edinburgh
• London
• Bristol
• Brighton
• Stroud

All car clubs need start up funding -which might typically be around the £100,000 to £160,000 mark (Smarter Choices 2004).

Lancaster City Council has in the past commissioned a preliminary feasibility study for a car club in the city. Although the project is still live, there is currently no funding that has been allocated to take the project forward.