Car sharing saves over £1 million

Over a million pounds will be saved over the next year due to a rise in car sharers in 2010 it was revealed by Travelwise NI during Car Share Day (20 September 2010).

The Department for Regional Development's Travelwise Car Share scheme currently has over 3300 registered members, an increase of over ten per cent this year. Current estimations project that sharers can save 5.5million miles of travel and are currently saving up to £1.1million and 1800 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

These statistics come as commuters are being urged to try car sharing next Monday, the official ‘car-sharing’ day during Travelwise Week 2010.

The theme for Travelwise Week is ‘Travel Smarter, Live Better’. The week is held in conjunction with European Mobility Week which aims to promote the use of sustainable transport in cities across Europe. As part of this initiative Travelwise NI is encouraging local commuters to help improve our local environment and access financial savings by signing up to car sharing websites http://www.carshareni.com or http://www.carsharenw.com

Aileen Gault of DRD Travelwise said: "It’s completely free to register on the car sharing website, with people having better than a one in two chance of finding a match for their journeys. This compares to one in three in other parts of the UK. Car sharing has obvious financial benefits through savings on petrol and car parking, and many people also point to the social benefits of having someone to chat to which makes the journey pass a lot more quickly. It also helps to create a healthier environment for everyone by reducing congestion on our roads, as well as reducing the individual stress of driving to work every day.

"Commuters are spending a lot of time in their vehicles due to traffic congestion so there is a real need to reduce the volume of cars on our roads. Car-sharing can help cut traffic levels and journey times as well as reducethe negative environmental and financial impacts of car travel.

"Transport emissions in the north have increased by 40 per cent over the last two decades. This compares with a 7 per cent increase across the water. We have a long way to go to catch up with our European counterparts in terms of developing a sustainable travel culture, and we hope Car Share Day reminds commuters to consider smarter, healthier choices and develop improved travel habits over the long term, which will lessen our carbon footprint.

"Many people can't commit to using sustainable travel like car sharing every day for the commute to work or the school run, but they could consider making one day a week a car free day. Even a small step like car-sharing once a week will reduce your carbon emissions by up to 20% and help the environment," said Ms Gault.

Notes to Editors:

1. About Travelwise: Travelwise NI is an unit within the Department for Regional Development and is dedicated to promoting the use of sustainable modes of transport such as car sharing, walking, cycling and public transport to audiences including employers, commuters and schools. Website: http://www.mobilityweek.eu
2. About European Mobility Week: From 16 to 22 September 2010, hundreds of European towns and cities will participate in the ninth edition of European Mobility Week and invite their citizens to a wide range of activities promoting sustainable mobility. The 2010 campaign theme – "Travel Smarter, Live Better" – was selected as the focal theme for European Mobility Week 2010 in recognition of the detrimental effects that current urban transportation trends have on health, both for citizens and for the towns and cities in which they live. Website: http://www.mobilityweek.eu
3. Photographs are available in advance for use on Monday. Contact the DRD Press Office for details.
4. Media queries should be directed to the Department for Regional Development Press Office on 028 9054 0817. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.