York celebrates launch of its first car club

7:50am Wednesday 13th September 2006

PAY-AS-YOU-GO drivers are set to take to York's streets after the city's first car club was launched.

The eco-friendly scheme is part of City of York Council's drive to cut congestion and pollution and will allow residents to use a car without owning one.

A fleet of seven cars will be based at different car parks around the city and will be available for hire by car club members.

Coun Ann Reid, the council's city strategy boss, welcomed the scheme, saying: "I think it is going to be excellent for the city. I have been pushing for this for a long time."

The club is being run by WhizzGo and supported by national charity Carplus, which promotes responsible car use, and the council.

Nearly 4,000 drivers across the country use about 200 car clubs and WhizzGo already operates clubs in Liverpool, Leeds, London, Brighton and Southampton.

Residents and businesses can join the scheme by paying a one-off membership fee and an insurance deposit then hire a car - for as little as £5 an hour - by calling a hotline or signing up online.

Coun Reid said: "We have been very proactive in getting this up and running. The research that the council has done has shown a very strong level of support for it.

"It means that city centre developments can be built with less parking provision because we are giving people the option of not having a car but access to one at reasonable rates.

"Where car clubs are working it does cut the number of car trips that members make. It reduces car journeys and it reduces the pressure on parking spaces and the roads."

The council will provide discounted parking for club cars to provide an incentive to members and to allow the club to expand more quickly.

Club cars will be set up at several new housing developments and they will be linked to a project to measure the environmental benefits of the clubs.

The hire vehicles will be based at car parks in Union Terrace, St Leonard's Place, Peel Street, Nunnery Lane and Bishopthorpe Road and in Fulford Road.

Charlotte Morton, of WhizzGo, said: "We are delighted to bring WhizzGo to York. It is in our opinion the best way for drivers to save money and the environment at the same time.

"We hope the people of York will embrace the concept and follow the success we have had across the UK in reducing congestion and pollution and making a definitive change to Britain's driving culture."

To sign up to the scheme, phone 0870 4466000 or log on to www.whizzgo.co.uk