Achieve New Year's resolutions with Car Share BOP

If saving money, making healthier choices and living more sustainably feature among your New Year’s resolutions for 2011, then Car Share BOP might be the website to help you achieve them.

Car Share BOP is a free website where you can sign up and find people to share car trips with in the Bay of Plenty.  Bay of Plenty Regional Council Transport Planner, Kate Mackenzie, said for those hoping to change their habits in the New Year, Car Share BOP was an easy way to make it happen. 

Once registered, the website searches a database of other users for potential car share matches.  Car Share BOP identifies people who either live near you or along your route.  It also identifies people who have similar work schedules and lifestyle preferences.

“You don’t have to live next door to one another,” Ms Mackenzie said. 

“For example, you can look for a travelling companion for part of your journey and do the rest on the bus or by walking or cycling.”

Ms Mackenzie said there were a number of benefits to the programme.   

“It saves you money – by sharing your transport costs with other people you can save up to $1000 a year, and with petrol prices currently at a two-year high it’s a great time to be looking for cheaper alternatives,” she said.

As well as the personal financial benefits Ms Mackenzie said there are widespread positive effects from car sharing.

“Other road users benefit because it reduces the number of vehicles on the roads, meaning less pollution and fewer parking problems.  It’s also a good opportunity be more sociable and can provide opportunities to exercise,” she said. 

Ms Mackenzie said the service was very flexible and could be tailored to meet an individual’s needs: “You don’t need to share a car everyday, just use it when it works for you.”

“It doesn’t have to be limited to commuting to work.  It can be used for doing the weekly shop, taking the kids to school, travelling to a festival, event or show, or even getting to the airport. How often you use the service is entirely up to you,” she said.

Member’s details are stored securely in the database and only members intended travel information can be accessed on line. 

For more information visit www.carsharebop.co.nz or email info@envbop.govt.nz

Take a Mate Fact Box:

Around 90 percent of people who use Car share BOP are matched up with another user.

Travelling with others can mean you reduce your transport costs by up to $1000 a year.