Steve Norris Launches Car Sharing Scheme

02/02/2004

Former Transport Minister and general transport cognoscente, Steve Norris, was the keynote speaker at the launch of SWELTRAC's new car sharing web site www.SharetheCar.org

The launch, which took place at Merton Abbey Mills in South Wimbledon, was attended by representatives of SWELTRAC's partner Boroughs, Transport for London, the GLA (including the local assembly member, Elizabeth Howlett), as well as local NHS trusts and businesses. It was also addressed by Marcus Seaman, Operations Manager of liftshare.com, and Damian Price, the administrator of the Thames Gateway London Partnership related site www.gateway2share.com


The system has been developed in association with liftshare.com, a company that specialises in the development and co-ordination of car share schemes. It allows two or more people to benefit from the convenience of the car whilst significantly reducing travel costs and road congestion. The scheme is offered to all those over the age of 16 in the South West London area. People can register free by logging onto www.ShareTheCar.org.

In his address, Mr Norris emphasised the important role of sub-regional partnerships such as SWELTRAC in seeking to improve both choice and provision of public transport across the capital. He praised car sharing as another positive means by which to help reduce congestion.

Mr Norris said: 
"There are ten million empty seats in cars on Britain's roads every day, a great many of which are in London." 

"The technology now available through the internet has provided new opportunities for people to share a car with someone who is making a similar journey, either on a regular or occasional basis. This has the dual advantage of increasing people's choice in respect of their mode of travel as well as helping to get some of the cars off of our already overcrowded London streets," he added. 

"By getting a number of Boroughs, of all political persuasions, to work together in promoting transport schemes that are of more than just local significance, SWELTRAC is playing an important part in providing both commuters and casual travellers with more and better options for their journeys."

The SharetheCar web site will form part of www.Londonliftshare.com which will link to related sites from the capital's five other sub-regional partnerships. Each of the local authorities involved will be setting up their own private groups which can only be accessed by their staff, but these will link into the public site to allow wider choice of travel companions for those who cannot match their journey in-house. Efforts will also now be made to encourage organisations such as businesses, health authorities, sports clubs and educational establishments to set up their own private groups for their relevant staff and stakeholders.