New website makes it even easier to share car journeys

Sharing car journeys, petrol and parking costs has been made easier for people in Blackburn and Darwen thanks to a website revamp.

In partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council, sharedwheels.co.uk currently boasts almost 4,500 members with regular users typically saving around £1,000 a year.

Around 15% of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s staff are currently sharing their car journeys – and the authority is encouraging more people to sign-up and check out the benefits.

The improved website has a sleek new design and new functions which make it even easier to search for people making similar journeys.

The free service allows members to make contact by email without disclosing their personal details, and there is no obligation to share.

Members can choose to share every day, occasionally or even one-off journeys such as to a concert, festival or other special event. The site is suitable for people who are looking for a lift, offering one, or who would like to take it in turns driving.

The project is part of the borough’s CONNECT scheme, a ‘smarter travel choices’ campaign to encourage healthier, greener ways of travelling including walking, cycling, car sharing and public transport.

Brian Bailey, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Director of Regeneration, said: “Our staff have told us that they are saving hundreds of pounds by car sharing, and not only have they saved money and reduced wear and tear on their cars, they are also making new friends as a result.

“What can often be a monotonous journey to and from work, car sharing makes it become a more pleasant and relaxed experience.”

Sharedwheels.co.uk is for anyone that lives or works in Lancashire. Visit www.sharedwheels.co.uk to join or for more information.

Why share your journey?

• The average family spends 10% of their disposable income on fuel – that’s more than on food.
• The average commuter will spend the equivalent of five working days in slow traffic
  25% of all car journeys in Britain are under two miles, that’s about a 30 minute walk or 12 minute bike ride.
• 59% are less than 5 miles.
  If we all swapped one car journey a week for walking, car traffic levels would reduce at least 10%.
• About a third of all journeys we undertake are less than a mile.
• A mile is about a 20 minute walk.
  Walking burns as many calories as jogging over the same distance.