Making Car Sharing and Car Clubs Work - Case ... - The Civil Service

MAKING CAR SHARING AND CAR CLUBS WORKCASE STUDY SUMMARIES20 A2BGeneral Background20.1 A2B Car Club is part of the A2B Smart Travel Club, a not-for-profit organisation based inBradford on Avon, which promotes sustainable travel options. It was conceived in 2001,launched in November 2002, and began operating the car club in December 2003. The clubstarted life through a Rural Bus Challenge grant, which has recently expired so theemphasis is now on sustaining the initiative as an independent enterprise. While the clubhas a good deal of local autonomy, it is managed nationally by Smart Moves. It operatesfrom a small travel advice centre in the centre of Bradford on Avon.20.2 A2B Smart Travel Club employs one full time, and one part time member of staff, whilst thecar club firstly employed 1.2 (full time equivalent) members of staff, which has reduced overtime to 1 part time member (0.6 full time equivalent) plus support from Smart Moves (HeadOffice and Bristol). During the start-up period four people were employed: a projectmanager, a marketing manager, the car club manager and assistant manager.Operating Structure20.3 Membership is open to adults from 21 years old upwards with a driving license. Althoughthere is no restriction on where people live, the cars are based in Bradford on Avon, so mostmembers live in that town, with a few in surrounding villages. The club owns three cars, twoVauxhall Corsas and one Vauxhall Astra estate, based in three parking areas, the railwaystation (pictured right) and twoneighbourhood supermarkets. Car clubusers pay a membership fee (currently£12 per month), a returnable deposit(currently £100), an hourly car hire cost(starting at £2.50 per hour, but on anescalating scale to discourage extendedhire periods), and a mileage rate (from16p per mile including fuel).20.4 Smart Moves manages the booking and billing system remotely. Members book online, overthe phone, or within the cars themselves (for the latter two methods there is a £1.20 bookingfee to cover additional administration or GSM airtime costs). They unlock cars by means of apersonal smart card, enter their PIN into the in-car computer terminal, and drive away. AMember Handbook and Member’s Contract contain details about issues such as refuelling,breakdowns, accidents, vehicle cleanliness, cancelling and extending bookings, etc.Impact and Effectiveness20.5 Since the launch of the car club, 156 people have registered an interest, 24 have trialled thescheme, and there currently 20 active members. The car club manager, Grant Pearson,keeps a log of potential members – i.e. those that have registered an interest – and usessuitable opportunities to encourage them to trial the scheme.Final V1.1, Dec. 2004 - 116 -