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Car Club steers residents in the right direction
Thursday 22nd March 2007
A pioneering scheme offering Durham residents a greener and cheaper alternative to car ownership is being launched in the City.
The Option C Car Club is a membership scheme which allows people to book cars parked in their neighbourhood for as little as half an hour on a 'pay-as-you-drive' basis.
The scheme aims to give people different options when it comes to thinking about travelling, allowing them to give up their own car, walk, cycle or use the bus and train more, while still having access to a car when they need it.
The car club has been developed by County Durham resident Paul Balmont, 27, and is a Community Interest Company operating on a not-for-private profit basis. The Company is working to create a network of car clubs across the North East, owned by their members.
Paul Balmont, said; "Car clubs are an ideal alternative to owning your own car and encourage people to think about using the car less. Car club members typically see the miles they use a car for fall by 25% and their trips made by walking, cycling and public transport increase by 40%. This helps people to reduce their impact on the environment and also save money. For example members who drive less than 6,000 miles a year could typically save between £1,000 and £1,500. Or some members find by joining the scheme they can give up the second family car which allows them to make even greater savings."
First established in January 2006, the launch of Option C comes after a year of hard work and sees two cars available for hire. Parked in the Sands car park in the City centre and in the City of Durham Council's car park at Byland Lodge, the vehicles are conveniently located and easy to access.
The car parking spaces have been provided by the City of Durham Council in support of the scheme and as part of the Council's commitment to promoting sustainable travel.
The cars are fitted with in-car technology which enables members to book either online or by telephone. The booking process is simple and can be completed in only a couple of minutes. Members simply have to choose the date, time and length of their journey and check availability of the cars before confirming their booking.
Members are issued with their own smartcard to use instead of a key which allows access to the car at the time they have booked it. Members are then simply billed each month for the trips they have made in the car.
After strong initial interest, the plans are to expand
the car club across Durham, and people can make request
for cars in their area, as well as finding out more
information on the Car Club website
www.optionc.co.uk