A NEW WEBSITE has been launched aimed at helping people to make the most of their car journeys by sharing them, and the cost, with other people.

The scheme aims to extend an initiative already in place in several large organisations, which sees 1,000 people sharing lifts to and from work in places like Hewlett Packard, NUI Maynooth, ESB, NUI Galway and Cherrywood Business Park.

A ten kilometre car trip to work daily can cost €3,000 a year, and the National Transport Authority says that sharing the journey with just one other person could cut the cost by 50 per cent.

It’s also estimated that owning and driving a car in an urban environment costs about 62 cents a kilometre, when the likes of  insurance, NCT, wear and tear and petrol are factored in.

The website enables car-sharing groups to form and offers a platform for them to organise trips. There is also a public group which aims to match people up.

The car-sharing scheme isn’t just being aimed at employees though, with sporting bodies like the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU getting on board to encourage players, teams, supporters and parents to car share to sporting events. Concerts, weddings and festivals are also touted as ideal events where car-sharing could be implemented.

Public and Commuter Transport Minister Alan Kelly said:

With petrol going up and more people becoming aware of our environmental challenges, we can use technology to get people together and out pockets and environment will benefit. It is a key part of our smarter travel policy.

Want to set up your own car-sharing group?>