Car-share for the first ever nationwide liftshare Week

1st September 2010

4 – 8 October 2010

liftshare Week is a new initiative taking place from 4 – 8 October which aims to enable individuals, businesses and communities to discover the benefits of car-sharing. The Wild West themed promotional campaign surrounding the initiative encourages drivers not to be “lone rangers” by using liftshare.com a free car-sharing matching service with over 350,000 members.

With petrol prices hitting a record high this year, and the recession still having a very real impact on people’s pockets the benefits of sharing the cost of your commute is easy to see. In fact the average amount saved by car-sharing to work is £20 per week. Not to mention it is good for the environment, can help reduce stress and makes journeys more sociable.

So, why not encourage your staff and students to give car-sharing a try during liftshare Week by asking them, “who’s going to be riding shot-gun in your car?” For those who haven’t played the game, ‘riding shotgun’ means claiming the front passenger seat. Free promotional materials and suggested activities for liftshare Week are available to download from www.liftshare.com.

While liftshare Week is a fun introduction to how beneficial car-sharing can be, a formal scheme can provide a longer term solution which contributes to carbon reduction and sustainability commitments, increases employment catchment areas and helps alleviate car parking issues. Car-sharing schemes have been successfully adopted by universities and colleges around the country, with one of the first to embrace the idea being the University of West of England, in Bristol.

With the launch of its car-share scheme, the university also introduced parking spaces reserved for car-sharers as an incentive to encourage people to share (in addition to saving on their parking and fuel costs). Sharing also saves them time as there are several 2+ lanes around campus that can significantly reduce journey time.

For many students living in multiple-occupancy houses, car-sharing offers an easy and attractive way to do their bit for the environment, save money and take advantage of the reserved parking spaces conveniently located close to campus. The university puts car-share information in student induction packs, and promotes it at their travel desk.

The scheme is very simply run. The only requirement is that there is a passenger in the car when it is parked. This is enforced by a security guard sometimes being posted at the entrance to the car park.
The university scheme currently has over 650 members and a match rate of 49%.

Travel Planner Steve Ward told us:
“We were very pleased to see so many take advantage of car-sharing in travelling to the campus. With well over 600 members, the liftshare system has provided an easy way for students and staff members to contact each other and take advantage of our car-share spaces. Car-sharing through liftshare provides an effective and simple method, whereby we can get better value from our limited number of car parking spaces.

For further information on liftshare Week visit www.liftshare.com