ways2work > How to do it > Re-thinking commuting > What we could do differently > Re-thinking cars for work > Car sharing
Car sharing
One of the most effective ways to reduce the numbers of cars being driven to work is to set up a car share scheme. It allows people to benefit from the convenience of the car, whilst easing the problems of congestion and pollution. It reduces the numbers of car parking spaces required at the workplace.
The term 'car sharing' refers to two or more people travelling together by car for all or part of a trip. One of the people travelling is usually the owner of the vehicle and the other(s) usually make a contribution towards fuel costs – or alternatively cars are used on a rotational basis and that costs are split that way.
Car sharing may be formal, via an organised car share scheme, or informal, for example friends or colleagues travelling to work together. Formal schemes match people who register with others making the same trip. Alternatively there are schemes which help people find someone to share a one-off car journey. Informal schemes operate on a more ad hoc basis between friends, family members or colleagues, but can be very effective.
The best–developed schemes are targeted at the daily commute. Such schemes may operate within a single company or across a number of different employers in the same area.
Companies may introduce schemes and promote them to their staff, for example as part of a workplace travel plan, to address parking restrictions or help employees to reduce their travel costs. Local authorities can promote car sharing across an entire area involving many employers.
The Essential Guide to Travel Planning Section on car sharing can be viewed here.
Energy Saving Trust estimates that car sharing could save the average commuter around £450 a year on fuel compared to driving alone.
The Highways Agency is an excellent resource on tackling congestion by influencing travel behaviour. The Agency is working with businesses to reduce traffic, particularly at key motorway congestion points and car sharing is one of their areas of focus. We now have the first car sharing lanes in the UK to encourage people to share cars. The first trials of this initiative is on the M606/M62 in Yorkshire. At peak times, only vehicles carrying two or more people are able to use the lanes. Depending on the outcome of this trial, we may see more peak time car sharing lanes across the country.