Businesses in the West Midlands could be saving money – and the environment – by developing a ‘travel plan’, a local organisation has said.
ACT TravelWise, a sustainable travel group, said that too many companies are overlooking the way their employees commute to work and travel for meetings.
The group wants businesses to look at how they can improve the way staff get to work – by encouraging smarter travel through walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing – and will offer advice at the forthcoming Sustainability Live event, at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham.
Gill Hunt, a travel plan advisor for ACT TravelWise, said: “Travel plans give a company an overview of their workforce’s travelling and allows them to put measures in place to make it cost efficient.
“We’re here to show businesses how to develop a successful plan. It becomes clear very quickly once you implement your travel plan that there is a wide-range of benefits financially and environmentally for both the employer and their employees.
“Travelling to meetings and events can waste money, whether it’s through fuel costs or spending too much on rail fares. We try to show the various, simple ways the outgoings can be cut and sustained.
“In terms of commuting, the fuel savings once people start a scheme like car sharing are massive – staff can cut their fuel outgoings in half every week. Or if they start walking or cycling, then costs can be reduced even more.
“Improving the travel choices through a travel plan addresses issues of traffic congestion, stress and wasting money, while looking after our surroundings.
“The Sustainability Live event is all about making savings and making positive moves to help the environment, and I’m sure it will provide a helping hand to businesses in these tough times.”
Sustainability Live 2009, at Birmingham NEC, will run from May, 19 to May, 21 and entry is free. To register for tickets, go to www.sustainabilitylive.com
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