| How can a car
sharing scheme help my company?
Car sharing is usually one of the major components of a Travel Plan,
because it is relatively easy to set up, and for most people is
the most attractive alternative to driving alone.
Car sharing can:
- Reduce congestion on and around your site improving access for
your employees, your customers and deliveries. This can also improve
relations with your neighbours.
- Ease parking problems. The fewer cars that you have on site,
the more parking spaces become available for staff and for visitors.
- Reduce the need to providing parking, and therefore the cost
of providing parking. In addition, all of the land that was previously
sitting idle can now be developed for business use!
- Reduce mileage claims if employees are encouraged to car share
for work journeys e.g. meetings or site visits.
- Makes you a more attractive employer to work for. 43% of workers
in the Northwest would be more likely to work for an employer
who offered an easy-to-use car sharing scheme, according to research
published by Internet job site reed.co.uk.
- Widens your recruitment area. If your site is hard to access
by public transport, a car sharing scheme can make it easier for
potential employees to get to your site.
- Support your Travel Plan. Car sharing is one of the easiest
and most effective measures to implement if you are trying to
adopt a full Travel Plan for your organisation.
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What is 2sCompany?
2sCompany is an internet-based car sharing database that has been
set up by your local Council. Your employees enter their journey
details, and then 2sCompany lets them know if there are any other
people making a similar journey. At all times user details are kept
hidden, except for their journey details and their ‘preferred’
name.
How does it work?
Employers can use the site in one of two ways:
1. Public Groups
Setting up public groups is free to do by registering with the site,
going to ‘Groups’ and selecting ‘suggest a public
group’. However, anyone who registers with the site is then
able to join your group, as well as your employees.
2. Private Groups
Access to private groups is restricted to your employees, to ensure
added security and confidentiality. Private groups are available
at a cost of £400 for set up and £200 per year licensing.
However, you can cut this cost by starting up a joint-scheme with
a neighbouring employer. For further details contact 2sCompany on
0161 242 6020.
Case studies
AstraZeneca, Renaissance Court
AstraZeneca has several sites in the north west. The Alderley Park
car share scheme was launched in 1998 as part of the Alderley Park
travel plan. The scheme was launched to try and ease congestion
on and around site, and to address parking problems.
To date, over a quarter of employees are registered on the scheme.
The scheme has been such a success that AstraZeneca are launching
a similar scheme for their Renaissance Court site in Chorlton, which
is also experiencing shortages in parking.
Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport has had a Car Share Scheme in place since 1998.
The scheme was introduced to provide Airport staff with a more sustainable
alternative to single-occupancy vehicle travel, and now represents
an important strand of the Airport's Employee Travel Plan. At present,
approximately 10% of Airport employees actively car share, many
sharing on a friendly, informal basis with fellow work colleagues.
"Reducing the demand for employee parking through initiatives
such as car sharing is crucial in freeing up future development
space in the Airport's central terminal area, where land is at a
premium." Bob Longworth, Ground Transport Manager, MA Plc
RAC, Stretford
RAC set up their Car Sharing Scheme (CSS) to secure planning permission
for their new site in Stretford. The scheme has been running since
April 2002 and has helped to alleviate parking shortages, with 5%
of colleagues now sharing, and the figure growing steadily. Some
of the benefits that members receive are a priority parking space,
and a guaranteed lift home in emergencies. Due to the success of
the scheme it has now been rolled out at two other RAC sites. The
company are now developing a full Travel Plan.
"When RAC merged two sites and relocated to a residential area,
the potential impact of colleagues travelling to and from work on
both the local community and the environment had to be addressed
as a high priority".
"Introducing a successful Car Share Scheme has helped to alleviate
that impact.” Pauline Standeven, Group Facilities Manager,
RAC.
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