Car Sharing
Car sharing is when there is more than one occupant in a private car. We all share cars regularly, with our friends and family, without thinking about it. But there are often times when a driver has empty seats in the car because they don't know of anyone who needs a lift. That's where organised car-sharing, using the best of today's technology, comes in!
DID YOU KNOW: 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%!
Why car-share?
- The UK's traffic situation has led to significant social, economic and environmental costs.
- Traffic jams cost the economy £5 billion every year in lost productivity
- There are 10 million empty seats on the road every day
- The average speed of traffic in London is 10 mph
- 29% of children travel to school by car
- 90% of London air pollution is caused by road traffic
- The UK has the worst congestion, longest commuting time, second highest road utilisation and highest car ownership in the EU.
The benefits
- Reduces the costs of travelling by car
- Undercuts the cost of nearly all other forms of transport
- Reduces congestion and pollution
- Reduces parking problems
- Widens the recruitment catchment areas for businesses
- Provides a real solution to the lack of public transport in rural areas
- Facilitates the integration of public and private transport
- Is a way of meeting new, like-minded people.
- Free to register
Get involved
liftshare.org is a car sharing scheme specific to Southwest London. The service puts people travelling in the same direction or a similar destination in contact with each other, allowing them to arrange to travel together and share the costs, whilst also reducing congestion and pollution on our roads. There is also a section specific to Kingston!
Concerned about safety?
liftshare.org have tried to make their site as secure as possible. Safety and security of all those using the service is their major concern. For more information about safety and security of personal information, please read liftshare's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy (available at Liftshare Website)
Many questions are answered in their FAQ section but some additional questions are answered below:
Is my personal information stored securely?
All members' details are stored securely in the database and only the individuals' intended travel information and email numbers can be accessed online.
How do I know that my driver/passenger is who they claim to be?
Check their ID and show them yours. Passports are obviously the most secure but alternatively ask for another recognised form of ID - For example a valid student card and a driving licence. (You should match the name of the driving licence to the name on the card.)
What other measures should I take?
Before leaving home, you could tell someone the name of the person that you are going with and where you are going. Write down their details and check that it matches your driver/passenger. The decision as to whether to take a passenger/get in the car is entirely up to you. You are under no obligation to go ahead with the liftshare. If you do ever have any problems do not hesitate to contact liftshare.org, who will endeavor to prevent them happening again.