Fewer vehicles on Scottish roads due to car clubs

Date: 9/11/2012

The growing popularity of government-backed car clubs in Scotland has seen the number of vehicles on roads north of the border cut by 200.

Over the past two years the pay-as-you-drive model has proved successful as households aim to cut the cost of driving and get rid of their second car.

In its review of the Developing Car Clubs in Scotland programme, Transport Scotland found that the number of people belonging to such clubs has increased by 600 since 2010.

There are now around 6,300 members of car clubs in Scotland, each paying between £3 and £5 as well as a mileage charge.

The internet is proving to be popular for booking the 160 cars available, with automatic keys used to operate them.

Car clubs have become more widespread under the programme with 11 new ones started, including eight in rural areas and three in cities.

The club, which was launched in Glasgow, has become one of the fastest growing in the UK and now has 700 members with access to 21 cars.

Members are predominantly situated in the west end of the city, but there are also some located in the city centre.

The report concluded that 148 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are cut each year due to the combined efforts of the car clubs.

Keith Brown, Scottish Transport Minister, said: "The Scottish Government has an ambitious agenda for tackling climate change and the increasing interest in car clubs is demonstrating how the people of Scotland are engaging in delivering on this.

"Greener lifestyles can also be cheaper lifestyles, given the ever-rising costs of running a private car," he said.

The benefits of car clubs are that they cut carbon, reduce the number of privately owned cars on the road and improve accessibility.

Mr Brown said: "We are currently funding the establishment of a network of car clubs across Scotland, which will provide more drivers with the opportunity to give up their cars in favour of pay-as-you-go driving, further reducing the environmental and economic costs of car use."

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News