Carshare in Wiltshire

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Introducing carshareWiltshire.com

Wiltshire Council’s dedicated internet based car sharing scheme, www.carsharewiltshire.com is a FREE service that helps match people traveling for whatever reason with others going the same way. This might be on a daily basis to and from work, on an occasional basis once or twice a week to the sports centre, on a regular Saturday basis for shopping trips, or one off trips to festivals, events, or outdoor concerts.

The idea is simple - by pairing up people that would have otherwise have driven separately, 1, 2 or even 3 cars can be taken off the road and hence reduce congestion. The journey will then be quicker, without undue delay, and it will also save all those pairing up money, as the cost of the journey can be divided equally up!

For work trips, more and more organizations are offering their employees who share journeys to and from work dedicated parking spaces, relieving them of the hassle of driving around and around full car parks looking for that elusive space. It also means they can arrive at any time that they choose, rather than have to worry about getting to the car park as early as possible to find a space.

Warning: beware of imitations!

There is an internet site called 'www.wiltshirecarshare.com' that is not run or approved by Wiltshire Council! What is more, you have to pay the private organisation who is responsible. There is only one site Wiltshire Council recommends, and it is free www.carsharewiltshire.com - visit it today for more information and to register.

Over 9000 Wiltshire residents and workers have done just this, and combined with the thousands of other people who are part of the “Liftshare.com” network across the South West, your chances of finding a car share partner to drive or be driven by has never been greater.

With petrol prices going up and up, now is a great time to cut your fuel bill in half or even more!

Safety in mind

The system is designed with safety in mind, and there is absolutely no obligation to proceed with any car share arrangement. All contact occurs by e-mail, and users are warned neither to reveal any personal details nor too many too early. Once you register your details, including journey information securely on line, the database searches for any near matches. You will receive an e-mail outlining potential suitable matches, and this includes right down to your individual requirements concerning smoking (or not), for example.

It is entirely up to you whether you e-mail any of those suggested to you - and likewise, should you receive an e-mail from someone else, following the database suggesting you as a potential suitable match, again, you choose whether to make contact by replying.

There are simple safety steps to take when proceeding with a potential match, including arranging to meet in a public place, preferably accompanied by a friend.

With regards proceeding with the car share arrangement, once you have satisfied yourself that the person you met is who they say they are, for example with a passport, drivers license, etc, and also that they have a license and appropriate tax and insurance, the car share arrangement operates simply and effectively. You decide where to meet - we suggest either at or near to your home, or a bus stop or train station, so just in case the other party cannot make it, you can still proceed with your journey by other means. You should always make sure that someone knows your arrangement, who you go with, when, and where.

Private car share groups

For added peace of mind, schools, colleges, and even organizations can organize private groups on the www.carsharewiltshire.com whereby ONLY people from that organization are linked together, if desired by the individual. For more information on private groups, email transportplanning@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Students attending or planning to go onto Higher Education often need to travel further distances and at different times to when buses may be available. So car sharing does offer a real, safe, and convenient way of continuing on in further education, and students can save money too, splitting the fuel costs between all those in the car.

Last updated: 13 January 2011