Car sharing
Car sharing is a popular element of many Travel Plans, as it costs very little to set up and maintain. Once established, the system is low maintenance with only minor administration required.
Why promote car sharing?
Car sharing is an attractive alternative to single vehicle occupancy travel because of its door-to-door directness and convenience. The main benefit of car sharing is that each person in the car (other than the driver) potentially represents a vehicle trip removed from the road.
For many employers considering Travel Plans, car sharing is often the most successful measure introduced (depending on accessibility by other modes, home postcodes, and operational times of the site).
Car sharing can be implemented by most organisations. Consistent working hours, residential concentration of employees and constrained parking supply can make a car sharing scheme more attractive and successful.
Create an employee database of staff willing to car-share
Many Local Authorities or Regional Transport Partnerships have schemes that employers can promote to staff. These are often free to use.
A web-based database offers a comfortable opportunity to match the travel needs of employees (or students, for example), whether they want to offer or take advantage of a lift every day, once or twice a week or just occasionally.
Alternatively, provide details of car sharing and journey-matching websites within the Staff Travel Pack. This will be useful for those who are unable to car share with other individuals on site.
Provide priority parking spaces for car sharers
Reserving prime spots near the building entrance and clearly labelling them 'car share only' will help reward Responsible Car Users and help publicise the possibility of car sharing to everyone who visits your premises.
Priority parking spaces for car sharers and disabled drivers
Successful schemes have operated a branded priority parking policy where car share parking spaces are those closest to the main entrance of the building. Branding helps reinforce the scheme by having a visual impact.
Guidance, training and information for car sharers
Providing basic scheme guidance for staff that lays down ground rules regarding charging for lifts, the importance of timekeeping and procedures for the eventuality of illness will help to ease many of the concerns people have about sharing lifts.
Provide staff in car sharing schemes additional training to give reassurance that they are safe.
Promote travel information services for the road user, e.g. Traffic Scotland
Ride Guarantees
Provide a guaranteed ride home, if the driver should fall ill, or in the event of an emergency. Existing examples show such guarantees are seldom used (and rarely abused) - a fact that can be used to help persuade potential car sharers.
Read case studies on car sharing
