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As Cheshire's largest employer the Council has recognised that it is important to lead by example to promote our TravelWise message. The Car Share Scheme is just one part of a wider Staff Travel Strategy which aims to reduce the environmental impact of the Council's day to day travel requirements.
Many companies have found that car sharing schemes are often the most successful and popular part of their Travel Plans. Our own research has revealed that the majority of our employees travel to work by car. In most cases the driver is the only occupant of the vehicle. Many staff only live a few miles away from their workplace.
Two thirds of those questioned agreed that they would be happy to car share or use alternatives to their cars to reach work.
Why should I Car Share?
- You can cut your travel costs by sharing.
- You can help reduce peak hour traffic congestion and pollution.
- Cutting down the number of days you drive to work can help reduce the stress of driving in congested traffic.
- Car sharing is a sociable thing to do! You can meet fellow colleagues who normally you would not come into contact with.
- You still retain a level of flexibility that comes with having access to a car.
- If you leave your own car at home it will be free for use by other members of your family.
How Does it work?
The Council has set up a computerised car share database this will hold details of all potential car sharers who have joined the scheme. The system will then provide a list of possible car share matches based on home location, work location and any personal preferences indicated on the application form. After that it is up to individuals to negotiate the "where, when and how" details.
For instance -
- Whether or not you wish to be a driver or passenger, or to alternate.
- Your normal, or other possible routes to work
- Whether or not you wish to share with smokers.
- Whether you prefer to share with only people of the same sex.
- Whether you wish to share everyday or just occasionally.
What about insurance?
Most insurance policies will cover you to carry passengers on your journey to and from work, but you must check your policy and consult your insurance company or broker before entering into a sharing agreement. Likewise, most insurance policies will cover you to carry passengers on your journey to work, so long as you don't charge your passengers more than the running costs of the vehicle.
Can I share the costs?
Yes. You are free to enter into agreements with people who share your journey to work. This may either be on a reciprocal basis where the car and driving are shared or, if there is only one driver, a small charge may be acceptable and should not exceed the running costs. As an example, you may wish to use the County Council's expense rates as a guide to the overall running cost per mile of using the car. These should be treated as a maximum figure.
The costs should be split equally between the number of people sharing the journey based on the following:-
£
Cost per mile x distance travelled
_____________________
Number of people sharing
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