If everyone who drives to work were to car share with someone just once a week, the number of commuting car journeys would be reduced by 20 per cent, as well as saving drivers money. This also helps to cut congestion and reduce CO2 emissions.
The benefits of the scheme are considerable, and include:
Reduced travel costs
Meet new people
Reduced congestion
Reduced pollution
Less pressure on the car park
Online databases help to match drivers who are going the same way with each other. For more information and to register for free visit the London liftshare website.
Alternatively if you work along the Great West Road there is a dedicated database called A4Carshare. You can find out more from the Golden Mile Transport Group website.
Interested in renting out your own car?
Whip Car allows you to rent out your car to your neighbours, taking care of all the issues with insurance etc and allowing you to profit from your vehicle when you're not using it. For more information visit their website.
Car clubs (pay-as-you-go cars)
Zipcar’s popular pay-as you-go car club, the “green” alternative to buying a car, now has more than 85,000 members using 1,500 vehicles across the capital at 1,200 locations.
The scheme works on a short-term, pay-as-you-go basis, and is particularly suitable for people who use cars for short journeys. The cars are available 24/7, and can be rented by the hour, day, week or month.
Member benefits include the use of modern and reliable cars. Zipcar provides users with new Volkswagen Golfs and BMWs, in convenient locations, without the hassle of servicing or maintenance costs.
In the London Borough of Hounslow area, the following cars are available at these locations:
Hounslow
Aces Court, 694-712 London Road (1 car operated by Citycarclub)
Brentford
Albany Parade car park (1 car)
Boston Manor Road, near the Ride (2 cars)
Boston Manor Road, Paragon Building, Thames Valley University (1 car) operated by City Car Club
Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre (1 car)
Glenhurst Road, outside Middlesex Court, (2 cars operated by Citycarclub)
Great West Quarter car park (1 car, 1 van)
The Butts (2 cars)
Chiswick
Chiswick Business Park, Gunnersbury (2 cars)
Chiswick Common Road car park (2 cars)
Chiswick Station, Sutton Court Road (2 cars)
Eastbourne Road (1 car)
Essex Road (1 car)
Netheravon Road (2 cars)
Stamford Brook Avenue (1 car operated by Zipcar)
Isleworth
South Street car park (1 car)
Town Field Way (1 car)
Osterley
Osterley, Thornbury Avenue (2 cars)
Costs of joining and using Zipcar vehicles can be found on their website.
Zipcar is keen to expand its network across the borough, so if you would like a vehicle near your home or place of work, register your details on the Zipcar website.
For more information, membership details and a full list of locations in greater London and around the UK, visit the Zipcar website or call 0845 644 8475.