Smart Moves Ltd. has been commissioned by a consortium of London boroughs to establish and operate a number of city car clubs across London in a drive to offer a viable alternative to car ownership for the residents of London.
The initial phase of the scheme is funded by Transport for London (TfL) and will support the establishment of London City Car Club in four zones. The car club will serve seven London boroughs, which are members of the “car free cities” consortium - Brent, Camden, Ealing, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, and Merton by February 2003.
What are City Car Clubs
City car clubs are about shared use of a pool of vehicles. Neighbourhood-based car stations provide short-term access to cars for periods as brief as one hour. Car clubs can also operate car stations at the workplace.
“I am excited about working with the London boroughs. City car clubs can provide an important element in building a cohesive transport system for London. Many people will be quite happy not to own a car if they have convenient access to a car club car for those journeys where a car is essential. As people get to enjoy the benefits of this type of car sharing, it will begin to influence the way that future housing is designed, ” said Chas Ball, Managing Director of Smart Moves Ltd.
The city car clubs will follow closely Smart Moves successful business model, which is already operating in number of UK locations. The aim of each club is to provide access to vehicles for residents for local and short journeys.
Derek Turner, Managing Director of Street Management at TfL said,
“TfL is investing in giving Londoners the best choice of public transport to get around the city. We also recognise that for some journeys, at some times, the car is the only viable option. It is important that Londoners have this choice, but also realise that car use does have a cost to us all through congestion. A car club offers the best of both worlds, real choice when you need it but it makes sensible use of the car too. This will mean fewer cars in congested areas, which is what we all want to see. That is why TfL is pleased to support this radical but effective approach to getting around London.”
City car clubs can be located anywhere from property developments, where they can reduce the need for parking spaces, to commercial property like business parks where the city car club will benefit both residents and businesses who can also become members of the club.
City car clubs are not for just new developments - they fit just as well within existing residential areas and redevelopments.
How do city car clubs operate?
Booking to use a car is simple. Members can use the internet or telephone to book cars for a short as one hour. Bookings are made weeks ahead or within half an hour of the planned journey. Once complete, booking details are sent to the car ready for the club member to use. The cars are located at strategic locations within walking distance of the members home or workplace and fitted with the latest ‘two-way’ telematics systems to ensure the car is protected and can only be used by authorized club members.
The onboard system records time in use and distance traveled and feeds the data back to the administration system, which presents the user with a bill on a monthly basis. Members requiring longer bookings than a weekend can book a rental car at preferential rates.