With petrol prices hitting a record high this year, we
are urging residents to consider alternative methods of travel that
can save them money and reduce congestion on our
roads.
Research by the car sharing web site Liftshare claims that the
average person can save up to £1000 a year in fuel alone by car
sharing. If you commute by car you would halve your petrol costs by
car sharing. Remember you don’t have to car share every day. You
can calculate your likely savings at the site
www.eta.co.uk/car_cost_calculator
Car sharing is often done informally with friends at the same
office and many companies have ways in which you can be matched up
for your journey. If your company is not big enough for its own
scheme you can join North Somerset’s 2carshare scheme. This covers
the West of England and has membership of over 8000 people in the
North Somerset, Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire area so
your chances of finding a matched journey are high. Check it out
and see if anyone is going your way.
Council spokesman, Nick Yates regularly car shares to work from
Taunton.
He said: "I have been car sharing four days a week for over 18
months and I drive on alternate days. This has a number of benefits
- perhaps the most notable the fuel saving which is more than £25
per week. It also means we are being kinder to the environment and
it is a relaxing way to start and finish the day. We chat about all
sorts of things and have also been known to have a snooze (but only
when we're the passenger!).
"There have been very few occasions when one of us has been
slightly delayed at the end of the working day but this is only a
minor inconvenience. The other advantage is that my musical
horizons have been broadened thanks to Rob's eclectic tastes!"
You can register free at
www.2carshare.com and see who else
in the area is making a similar journey to you.
For more information on car sharing go to
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Transport/Travel/Cars/
