National liftshare day

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June 14th is National Liftshare Day- have you found your perfect match?

National Liftshare Day is the idea way to start car sharing. You will save money and time, as well as help cut congestion. This will help businesses in Wiltshire directly, many of whom are finding the rising amounts of traffic congestion stifling their operations.

The UK has the worst congestion, longest commuting time, and highest car ownership in Europe. And Towns in Wiltshire are suffering too! By sharing a car, we can:

• Reduce parking problems
• Reduce the need for a private car
• Reduce the costs of travelling by car
• Undercut the cost of nearly all other forms of transport
• Reduce congestion and pollution

Car sharing can also give you access to jobs, health care, shopping - in fact it’s a real solution to the lack of public transport across many parts of the County.

If half of UK motorists received a lift one day a week, congestion and pollution would be reduced by 10% and traffic jams by 20%.

The Council has set up a FREE internet based car share system at www.carsharewiltshire.com where anyone offering or seeking a list can register their details. An e-mail will be sent as soon as a close match is found. The more people who register, the better the chances of finding a perfect match. If 2 people share their journey, the fuel costs can be divided in 2. If 3 share, they can be split into thirds, and for, 4 traveling together, your fuel bill can reduce by 75%!

Visit www.liftshare.com for more information

Car Sharing - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: Do I have to have a car in order to car-share?

1. A: No, even people who do not have a car can car-share - you can come to an arrangement with the car owner about splitting the cost of journeys on days that they car-share.

2. Q What happens if the person I am sharing my lift with unexpectedly needs to stay late at work and is unable to drive me home?

2. A: Wiltshire Council pays for the taxi fare home should such an emergency arise, as part of the “Guaranteed Ride Home” arrangements. Check to see if your employer will do the same.

3. Q: Won’t I have to keep to set schedules and lose flexibility?

3. A:No, you could consider car-sharing on only 1 or 2 days a week. Also, the majority of people tend to work the same hours each day anyway.

4. Q: Will car-sharing affect my insurance?

4. A: You must be fully insured, and you should inform your insurance company that you are car-sharing. This will not increase your insurance costs. Most motor insurance companies will cover you to carry passengers to and from work. However, your insurance would become invalid if you charge passengers more than their share of the running costs.

5. Q: Can I charge my passengers if I car-share, and if so how much?

5. A: Yes you can, as long as you do not make a profit from the charge. Alternatively, you can take it in turns to drive your own cars so that the costs will be equally shared.

6. Q: What happens if I don’t get on with the person with whom I’m car-sharing with or if they are always late?

6. A: You should agree with your car-sharing partner(s) some ground rules early on, for instance, the importance of being on time, charging for lifts, smoking, music styles, etc. The first few car-sharing weeks could be treated as a trial, to check that car-sharing suits all partners and that you are happy with the arrangements.

7. Q: What happens if I am the driver and I am ill?

7. A: You must contact your car-share partner(s) as soon as possible so that they can make alternative arrangements.

8. Q: What if after a few weeks I find car-sharing doesn’t suit me?

8. A: By taking part in the scheme you will not be committing yourself to car-sharing permanently and you can agree to drop out at any stage.

9. Q: I work shifts/ Flexi time - can I still car-share?

9. A: Yes, the car-sharing scheme is flexible. We will put you in touch with other people who work similar hours.

Last updated: 9 March 2010