June 26, 2008

The UK's drivers are responding to rising costs of motoring and increased congestion by embracing carsharing.  National Liftshare Day has gone from strength to strength as UK motorists get together to make better use of their cars. 

Over 6,000 new members registered with liftshare.com on National liftshare Day (9 June) and the week running up to it, with almost 1,500 new members signing up on the day itself – more than double the number who registered on the same day last year.

The concept of sharing your journey with someone who is initially a stranger has long been alien to many UK drivers, but now it is increasingly seen as positive, logical and sustainable. One new member, Angela, who was due to start car-sharing on National liftshare Day, said: “I am not entitled to any reduced bus fares - so this scheme offers me the benefit of saving money as well as helping the environment. I can't wait!”

And as thousands more motorists made the decision to experience for themselves the environmental and financial benefits of car sharing, an MP brought those same important points to the attention of the Scottish National Parliament.

Alison McInnes (Scottish Lib Dem for North East Scotland) tabled the motion on 6 June “that the Parliament regrets that there are approximately 38 million empty car seats on the UK’s roads every weekday.”

Her motion went on to welcome National liftshare Day and added that the Parliament “believes that car sharing is a simple and effective way of increasing individual mobility, helping motorists keep down their travel costs, reducing congestion on the roads and helping the environment by cutting harmful exhaust emissions.”  Other MSPs are now able to sign Ms McInnes’ motion to express their support.

“We have had a stunning response to National liftshare Day this year,” said founder Ali Clabburn. “Politicians are recognising the importance of car sharing in our transport and environmental solution, while drivers who have been sitting in traffic – surrounded by other cars containing just one person – are beginning to realise just how expensive, illogical and unsustainable this is.”

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